This the summary of Google Talk with Claudia Hammond. She discusses her book “Art of Rest” and shares some valuable advice.
Read the summary of Art of Rest
Difference between rest and sleep, why is that important?
Rest is something we do when we are awake. We all know the importance of sleep in our health. On the other hand, rest is undervalued, but it is as important as sleep.
Rest could be something that is active like running or it could be something passive like laying down.
A good rest is balanced between rest and activity. As well as lots of activity and work, lots of rest is also harmful to you. So the key is to find the right balance.
Read the summary of Art of Rest
Why do we feel restless?
People are overwhelmed with the amount of work to do and always feel like they need to do something even when they are resting. We feel like being busy is better and we also think that busty people are doing better in their life. We think that we should be busy and feel guilty if we are not busy.
Read the summary of Art of Rest
How do we get better at rest?
First, we need to appreciate why the rest is good for you. Lots of studies confirm that rest improves people’s memory and concentration.
Microbreaks, that is one or two minutes breaks, every hour, improves attention and concentration.
So the key to good rest is to know that rest is something we need to perform better in our daily activities and we shouldn’t feel guilty. Because rest is good for your mental health.
Add the rest to your schedule. Find an activity that you enjoy, such as gardening, reading, walking, or just sitting without technology.
Reading allows us to escape from our own thoughts. It allows us to imagine the characters and
the scenes.
Rest has to be intentional and not by force.
Accept the fact that your to-do list will never end.
5 to 6 hours of rest a day is the ideal time period for resting. Every little restful activity adds up. Such as listening to music that you like, walking and in nature, or even looking at nature pictures.
Physical activities help your mind rest. Although you might feel physically tired, your mind won’t wander off the negative thoughts.
Podcast Notes 