These 7 types of rest you should sometimes take, and here's how to approach it

No matter how cozy the Christmas days are, sometimes it just gets a bit too busy because you were a bit too enthusiastic when all the Christmas dinners, brunches, and lunches were scheduled. And that, while the Christmas holiday is also one that is so nice to use as a moment of rest. Looking back on the past year, with all its ups and downs, you can dream about the beautiful things you wish for yourself in the new year. And one of the most popular New Year's resolutions is ‘rest’. Do you know well what you need rest from? What kind of rest is most important for you right now? And how do you approach that?

Physical rest
Your. body. is. tired. Maybe this is the easiest form of taking rest: book that massage, go to bed earlier, lie on the couch reading a book (also important for your mental rest), or engage in a light form of exercise like yoga.

Social rest
Not easy, to take enough social rest around the holidays. Make sure to schedule your holiday obligations in such a way that you alternate between the people who give you energy and the people who drain your energy (like maybe your in-laws, no matter how awkward that sounds).

Emotional rest
Another thing that can be difficult around Christmas. If you are someone who likes to take care of others, you can easily overlook yourself during this period. You can't just keep going and set yourself aside. It is also important for people who have had a tough time to pause and allow their emotions. This is of course not only the case during the holidays, this is a resolution to implement in your life in the new year. Think of journaling, which is now hugely popular, where you take a moment of rest every day to write down what is going on in your head and what you wish for yourself. It is actually the adult version of a diary, where you also look ahead.

Sensory rest, or stimulus-free
It is wonderful to see all those kids playing together and the jokes from that one hilarious uncle are delightful. But the fact that everyone is trying to outdo each other with all the stories, jokes, and unnecessary noises also means that your head gets completely filled with stimuli and you are just incredibly in need of a moment of silence. And that is the best ‘medicine’ when you are overstimulated. Take a walk (without music or podcasts in your ears), set your phone to ‘do not disturb’, and listen to the sounds of the crunching gravel path under your shoes, the wind causing the last leaves to rustle softly and fall to the ground...

Mental rest
The constant busyness at work, the sometimes somewhat chaotic family life, the friendships you want to maintain. Sometimes it just feels like a lot, which means you are constantly ‘on’ and thinking about everything and having to pay attention to everything. If you ensure that you are clear about what you need to think about in the coming year in terms of work, preferably before the Christmas holiday, or what you want to do better in terms of organization at home, it provides some rest in your head and you can really start enjoying from now on. Just nothing at all!, Creative rest

Creative people are generally a bit more chaotic
. Strangely enough, that apparently helps in the creative process, but it also means that you can get tired of all that creative chaos around you. Try not to think about new plans, concepts, or creations for a while. Clean up your space, go outside, and maybe you'll accidentally get inspired by something you never could have imagined. Often, the most beautiful ideas come when you are not actively thinking about it.. Spiritual rest.

Maybe you don't like the word 'spiritual' at all and you get itchy just thinking about it. And yet, it is highly recommended to let yourself be carried away in such an experience. Even for those who are already experienced in meditation and practice it a lot at home, it is a good idea to submit to the spiritual guidance of another. For example, try a sound healing: if you are open to it, it could be exactly what you need to let go of the troubles of the past year and enter the new year fully recharged.
Source: Psyned.nl.

No matter how cozy the Christmas days are, sometimes it just gets a bit too busy because you were a bit too enthusiastic when all the Christmas dinners, brunches, and lunches were scheduled. And that, while the Christmas holiday is also