When at work, downtime is usually frowned upon – even if it is obvious that you need to unwind and rest. Inactivity is synonymous to wasted time as we have promoted a culture of productivity and efficiency. Taking time off work is considered a big no-no when deadlines are coming up or final exams are around the corner. We just get used to the idea that it is not a smart thing to do. Personal health usually takes a backseat when you are faced with these types of responsibilities.

It seems like living a healthy life is so complicated. You need to improve your lifestyle, live an active schedule, lose weight with the one meal a day diet – all of these make healthy living such a stressful thing to do. You are expected to eat your proteins, drink water, take supplements, and be active. It might just seem like taking a break is the best thing to do at this point. But how can you do it without compromising the momentum that you have as you pursue a healthy lifestyle?

It is quite hard to maintain a healthy approach to life especially with the hustle and bustle of today’s generation. Time seems to always run out and the importance of rest is usually viewed as unnecessary. But if you hardwire into your mind the importance of rest, you will find a way to make sure it is part of your daily routine.

Regardless of your priorities, you need to find a way to get some rest. Lack of rest can prevent you from displaying positive traits according to Psychology Today. Your body is unable to take in the events of the day and your brain will have a hard time organizing the same events into data for future reference.

Here are a few things you can do to be able to get some rest and why they are important

Saying No

This might sound simple enough but surprisingly, a lot of people are struggling with this simple two-letter word. A friend might ask for your help repairing their porch over the weekend or fixing their car. Your sibling might be asking you to come in on your rest day and look after the house so they can attend that wedding out of town.

Saying no once in awhile to people does not mean you value them less. It just means that you understand the importance of rest enough to put your need ahead of theirs. Saying no can even make you happier and get respect from people around you according to a Huffington Post article.

You do not need to give them the whole story or a guilt-laden apology. Just say no and you can be well on your way in creating a balanced and healthy lifestyle. This would allow you some downtime and the chance to take in some much-deserved rest.

Relaxation

This is usually interpreted by some people with meditation and some deep relaxation techniques. They have been proven to help relieve stress and anxiety that has built up over the course of the day. It has been linked as well to lower blood pressure and to some extent, manage pain.

A big part of relaxation is finding time to put enjoyment on the list. This means you need to find time to do things that you love. Spend time to nurture your hobbies as it can give you the relaxation you need. It could even be as simple as spending time with people that you trust and love.

As you are able to manage stress, this can actually keep you away from long-term effects of it. Stress has been linked to a variety of health issues including headaches, chest pains, and even digestive problems. This further underscores the importance of rest in your everyday life.

Rest during a workout

As you take on an active lifestyle and start to hit the gym, it is imperative that you incorporate rest in between sets and even in between workouts. Doing so allows you to actually grow your muscles and reach your goal. This is because as you exercise, you are actually breaking down your muscle and rest gives your body the chance to repair it making it stronger.

Getting enough sleep

It is ideal to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep for people aged 26 to 64 years old according to Sleep Health Journal. Sleep is tantamount to rest as it is its ultimate form. It plays a vital role in promoting overall health physically, mentally and even emotionally. Clocking in enough hours of sleep allows your body to support and promote healthy brain functions as well.

As you sleep, your body is given the chance to heal and repair itself. It has a big role in promoting a healthy heart which lessens the chances of heart disease and even managing your blood pressure. This can also lower your chances of contracting kidney disease as your system gives vital organs the rest it needs.

While you are in the midst of your one meal a day diet, getting enough sleep can help curb hunger pangs throughout the day. Though you can eat fruits to prevent overeating, sleep can be a great tool in managing your hunger hormones. Lack of sleep decreases your leptin (a hormone that makes you feel full) and increases your ghrelin (a hormone that makes you feel hungry).

When talking about sleep, it is not enough to just get the required numbers in. It is also important to look at the quality of sleep as well. And when you start looking at the quality of sleep, you need to look at the time you spend in REM (rapid eye movement). It is best to have at least one-fourth of your total sleep hours in REM as it is the restorative part of sleep.

Importance of Rest – Moving forward…

As you start to focus on a healthy lifestyle, you need to understand the importance of rest. Not only that, you have to realize how it plays a crucial role in reaching your goal. It is true that working hard while you are awake forms a big part of the process. However, being able to get some rest will improve your chances of staying healthy.