Recharge & Thrive: The 7 Types of Rest Every Woman Needs

Welcome to the #wellnessreimagined link up co-hosted by Deb from Deb’s World, Donna from Retirement Reflections, Jennifer from The Retirement Phase and Jo from And Anyways . I was pondering what to write for these posts and decided that rather than just giving an update on my month I wanted to provide more information to encourage us all to dive deeper into our health and wellbeing.

I’ve just returned from a wonderful holiday cruising to Sydney, catching up with family and revisiting some of my childhood memories in the beautiful city that I was born in. We had such a relaxing time away spending quality time together and just stepping out of our ‘normal world’ for a time.

One afternoon I took myself off for a run around the beautiful foreshores of Sydney Harbour. Stunning views to keep me motivated.

It reminded me of how important it is to take time out to recharge our bodies so that we can thrive and bloom now and into the future. Having time away also gave me some inspiration for my monthly #WellnessReiminaged post. As you know, I like to provide information, inspiration and motivation around ways we can age well and enjoy life. I also like to include a progress of my own goals.

Now, if you are one of my regular readers, you will know that I do like to keep active and although I do enjoy relaxing with a good book, I’m not one to live life with the dial pointing to slow and steady. In saying that, I do need to be more mindful of not overdoing it.

Last month I wrote about #wellnressreimagined – Defining a vision for health & wellness as we age. I also wrote about Social fitness: Blooming through connection. This month I want to explore an area that I don’t give enough attention to but one that’s essential for our health, happiness, and overall sense of well-being: Rest.

It’s not just about getting a good night’s sleep (though that’s important too!) – true rest goes much deeper and touches every area of our lives. I want to explore the 7 Types of Rest we all need, especially as we embrace this vibrant stage of life. I recently read about this and wanted to share with you as well as incorporate it into my own life.

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Recharge & Thrive: The 7 Types of Rest Every Woman Needs

1. Physical Rest
   As we grow older, physical rest becomes even more crucial. It’s more than just sleeping; it’s about giving our bodies a chance to recover and heal. This includes quality sleep and gentle, restorative movement like stretching or yoga. Think of it as giving your body the TLC it deserves!
2. Emotional Rest
   Have you ever felt “emotionally drained”? Emotional rest is about honoring your feelings and setting boundaries that protect your energy. It’s okay to say no and unload any emotional baggage you’ve been carrying. Embrace self-acceptance, and remember that your feelings are valid.
3. Mental Rest
   Our minds are constantly buzzing with thoughts, to-do lists, and worries. Mental rest means giving yourself permission to take breaks, jot down worries or ideas in a “brain dump,” and, if needed, schedule dedicated worry time so it doesn’t consume your entire day.
4. Sensory Rest
   In our hyper-connected world, we’re constantly bombarded with screens, sounds, and alerts. Taking a sensory break can help reduce this overload. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, spend a few minutes away from screens, and allow yourself moments of stillness and quiet.
5. Social Rest
   Relationships are precious, but some can be draining. Social rest means spending time with people who uplift and energize you – or spending time alone if that’s what you need. Surround yourself with positivity, and don’t be afraid to choose solitude when it feels nourishing.
6. Creative Rest
   We all have a spark of creativity, whether we consider ourselves “creative” or not. Creative rest encourages us to enjoy art, nature, or other forms of beauty without pressure. It could be as simple as taking a walk, reading, or trying a new hobby. This type of rest feeds our souls.
7. Spiritual Rest
   Spiritual rest is about connecting with something bigger than ourselves, whether it’s through meditation, prayer, or simply spending time in nature. It helps us find peace, purpose, and grounding in our lives.

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Practical Tips to Embrace Rest this Week

• Set a Rest Goal: Choose one type of rest you feel you need most this week. Maybe it’s sensory rest or emotional rest. Set aside a little time each day to nurture that area.
• Honor Your Boundaries: Practicing emotional and social rest means knowing when to say “no.” Protect your energy, and spend time with people who lift you up.
• Create a Restful Routine: Incorporate restful practices into your daily routine, like a short walk, a moment of silence, or a screen-free hour before bed.

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Stay Mindful during March with the Action for Happiness Calendar

As we focus on living well, let’s remember that true rest isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. These seven types of rest are tools to help us restore, rejuvenate, and thrive.

Walking even for 1 minute has health benefits

I found this graphic by Little Shine scrolling through Facebook and it really puts into perspective how walking even for short periods can benefit our health and wellbeing.

Cross Generational Play: Why Nans make the best playground buddies

How did I rate myself in February

✅Completed the Clean Eating Overhaul Challenge in my WLWA50 Daily Exercise Challenge FB group – we all contributed information, recipes and support for each other. We all have a much better understanding of Ultra Processed Foods and why we need to avoid them.

✅Tried some new recipes with whole foods only

✅Entered two first half marathon for the year – I’m delighted that my daughter will be joining me for both. Our first one is next month.

✅Completed 17.5km run twice in preparation for the first half marathon in March

✅Consistent with 2 – 3 strength sessions each week even whilst on holiday

✅Introduced a mid week run

✅Worked on my mobility.

✅Monitored my sleep with my smart watch – I got the idea from Jennifer Jones, one of our co-hosts. It is surprising how much sleep we actually get compared to what we think we get.

✅Dropped my blood pressure medication – my BP was dropping too low so I’m monitoring it and only taking medication if needed. For the last two weeks I haven’t had to take any medication so I’m happy with that.

✅ Enjoyed quality time away in Sydney with my darling

Goals for March

My goal for March is to

• remain consistent with my workouts
• eating as little processed food as possible
• try more whole food recipes and write posts sharing them
• increase my free weights in my strength workouts
• include one boxing workout each week.
• Complete first Half Marathon for the year
• Continue maintaining the FB group

Remember to check out my co-hosts’ blogs and read their wrap for Wellness Reimagined

Debbie Harris – Deb’s World
Donna Connolly – Retirement Reflections
Jennifer Jones – The Retirement Phase
Joanne Tracey – And Anyways
Sue Loncaric – Women Living Well After 50

Have a healthy, happy and active month! Come join the #WellnessReimagined link up below.

The next #WellnessReimagined link up will be Sunday April 6/Monday April 7 at 8am Brisbane time. I’m looking forward to seeing and reading about your health and wellness activities during the month.

Lacking Motivation or Inspiration? Join Us.

My Women Living Well After 50 30 minute Daily Exercise Challenge Facebook Group has been a great bonus for me. I love that the core group of members are committed to stay active and healthy, just like me. We all contribute and check in daily and it is such an inspirational and motivating group of women. If you are struggling to stay on track come and join us. It is a relaxed group, we all just check in daily with what we have done. There is no judgement just encouragement.

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