Seven Types of Rest
July 23, 2025
Written By Health Promotion Specialist
When we think of rest, many of us think of sleep. However, did you know there are 7 types of rest and sleep is just one of them? According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, sleep and rest are not the same and instead, sleep is actually one of 7 types of rest.
Good quality sleep is a part of physical rest, along with yoga, stretching, massage and gentle movement like walking. Physical rest helps us get a break from the daily demands of life, reduce tension in our muscles and boost our energy levels.
The second type of rest is mental rest. Our brain is constantly processing information, making decisions and solving problems. Meditating, taking short breaks from work and carving out time instead of multitasking are ways to engage in mental rest so that we can recover from mental fatigue, improve focus and boost our creativity.
The third type of rest is emotional rest which involves allowing ourselves to feel and express our emotions in a healthy way. This type of rest involves understanding how we are feeling emotionally, advocating for our needs and being open to receiving support when we need it. We can also journal or engage with creative expressions like music and art in this type of rest.
The fourth type of rest is social rest which involves surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people. We may ignore our relationships when we are busy but making time for relationships that are fulfilling can help us improve our mood and outlook on life.
The fifth type of rest is sensory rest and this form of rest is all about reducing the stimulation that surrounds us. We live in a world of constant stimulation with bright lights, screens and background noises. Embracing quietness, turning off devices, enjoying nature and reducing lights are some ways we can reduce the strain on our senses and help us be more calm and focused.
The sixth type of rest is creative rest. Creative rest does not require us to be creative but it’s about appreciating beauty in any form – whether that’s nature or manmade such as art, theatre or dance. Dr. Saundra describes it as “appreciating what has already been created to bring out the creativity in us.”
The last type of rest is spiritual and this form of rest is all about finding meaning, purpose and a sense of belonging. Spiritual rest does not have to be religious or faith-based and can include giving back and feeling like we’re contributing to something greater than us. Spiritual rest includes meditating, praying, volunteering and being involved in the community.
This International Self-Care Day, we encourage you to include the 7 types of rest in your self-care routine!