I am starting the end of this year by doing something that used to be so natural to me and yet for the last year seems to have dropped further down my list of priorities, rest to reset. I am aware that when I don’t prioritise rest, it affects nearly every area of my life, in a negative way.
My sleep isn’t as good, my food choices for my body are not as healthy, my energy reduces, my thought processes are slower, I am more reactive, and I am more inclined to experience anxiety.
So why don’t we rest more?
Resting has long been thought of as being lazy and for women in particular, busyness can be linked to self-worth. Rest can feel like we are weak, particularly if it has been tied to a belief that you are only worthy if you are being productive. As we become busier, I think there is a natural inclination that comes in, an inner voice that tells us we can’t allow time to rest as we have so much to do.
However, we can reframe how we think about resting and look at it as a leadership skill – giving us energy, clarity and strength to continue our day. How many times have you not been able to think of a name, an answer to a problem or the route of a journey, and then you switch off trying, and the answer comes perhaps half an hour or an hour or so later, often when we are doing something else entirely, like showering.
Rest gives us health
Often if we haven’t been resting enough, and our nervous system can be on overdrive. If it is it will impact all our systems, particularly our digestive system, and if we are not digesting and absorbing our food properly, then our cells aren’t getting what they need. Rest helps us to do that. You will have heard “rest to digest” and that doesn’t just refer to digesting food, but to digesting every part of our lives.
Rest also can help us to shift out of fight, flight or freeze mode, by resetting the nervous system and as importantly to bring about more awareness to realise we have become unbalanced in the first place.
Indications of needing more rest
- Your body is holding tension, particularly in the shoulders, jaw, belly, hands.
- You feel that you are always switched on
- There is a feeling of being hypervigilant
- You feel out of balance
- You are more reactive
- Increasing feeling of lack of energy or fatigue
- Frequent illness
- Mental fatigue and brain fog
- Sleep issues
- Emotional exhaustion
These symptoms can creep up on us
Without awareness, we may miss the gentle cues of the body that until it the effects of not taking rest becomes chronic. Resting, is in fact a very natural state, and we can tap back into to it and remember – it is a skill that can be re-learnt. Through using something as simple as Sophrology simple dynamic exercises, breathing techniques, visualisation, sound, relaxation techniques all done in a systematic way, can help us to return to a natural relaxed and calm state.
How Sophrology can help you
Rest is often thought of as passive. In reality, we can be doing something and still be resting. It is about switching the nervous system from alert to safe mode, and Sophrology is a perfect way of doing that.
How can Sophrology help?
- Rebalances the nervous system by letting go of tension
- Clears the mind, creating a sense of calm
- It helps to deeply relax the body
- It can bring about a feeling of safety, confidence and the ability to self-regulate
- It helps to improve self-awareness so that you can detect when you are out of balance
- It helps us to tap into our strengths and capacities and develop a more positive outlook, helping to prepare us for the future we would like, and thus feel more confident, reducing anxiety.
- It can help to manage our emotions, and so regaining a sense of equilibrium
If you are interested in trying Sophrology, you are invited to join a Wellbeing Club session, held once a fortnight on a Monday 6pm to 7pm. The next class is being held on Monday 16th February 2026. To book text Carla on 07884 101164 or email carla@thestresssolutionsophrology.co.uk
Disclaimer: This blog is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice, and you should not rely on any of the contents of this blog. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action because of the contents of this blog. Carla Forth of The Stress Solution Sophrology disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this blog.
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