While growing up, several members of my family would take a nap in the middle of the day. It was called a ‘power nap’ that would help you to be alert and focused for the rest of the day.
But another concept that I was brought up with is how there is a difference between sleep and rest. In other words, when you sleep you ‘recharge’ your human battery, so to speak, but sometimes you still need to rest your body even though you have caught up on your sleep.
I’ve been seeing more and more people running around and being more active, and saying that even though they get enough sleep how they are still tired. Well now you know, the key to finding true rest is to also make time to just rest your body as well.
Photo: ‘Trees and Branches in the Fall’ Copyright 2020 Frank J Casella
Resting can be taking a break from whatever is stressing you and doing something completely different.
I find “forest bathing” to be more refreshing and restful for me than sleep. I did it for years without knowing it was a recognised activity that had a name. I’d say that about an hour of forest-bathing replaces between 2-4h of sleep for me. Although I couldn’t just spend 2-4 hours in the woods and expect to get by on no sleep! But when sleep-deprived or feeling unrefreshed, it definitely has that “top-up” effect on the sleep I’ve already had.