I’ve come to realize that rest isn’t just a pleasant indulgence or a reward for hard work. It’s so much more than that. Rest is a necessity for my wellness—a revolutionary concept that challenges the belief that constant busyness and productivity define my worth. When I first reframed rest not as a luxury, but as a vital component of my health, it transformed my understanding of self-care and healing.
Over time, I’ve gathered insights and inspirations that continue to reinforce the power of rest in my life. Below, I’m sharing the “mindful of rest” takeaways that have helped me find more spaciousness, contentment, and inner peace.
1. We All Have Basic Goodness Within
By recognizing my inherent goodness, I’ve noticed my cravings—whether for external validation, distractions, or excessive productivity—begin to decrease. In their place, I experience more ease and contentment. When I remember that my mind is like the sky—boundless and without a fixed center—I feel freer to simply be.
2. Stories as Medicine
My personal stories have become powerful medicine for growth. In opening up about my own experiences and listening to others, I’ve discovered that sharing vulnerabilities creates healing connections. Through these exchanges, I’ve found a sense of belonging and hope.
3. Collective Healing
I believe in our capacity to create a collective healing space, one where our nervous systems can find true rest together. When we hold a shared intention to slow down, quiet our minds, and honor our need for stillness, we cultivate a ripple effect of calm that touches everyone around us.
4. Rest + Spaciousness = Aha Moments
In the quiet gaps, those “aha” moments emerge. The more I allow myself to step back from the incessant to-do lists and mental chatter, the more insight and creativity naturally flow in. I’m constantly reminded that clarity arises from inner spaciousness, which is only possible when I prioritize rest.
5. Gratitude and Simple Joys
Part of my practice includes sharing gratitude—sometimes for the simplest things, like beautiful music playing in the background or a meaningful moment with a loved one. Recognizing these small gifts gives me a reason to pause, feel thankful, and rest in the present moment.
6. Awake Living
Living in an awake way, for me, means working from the inside out—paying attention to my inner world and recognizing my preferences without feeding them excessively. This mindful approach helps me transform the ways I think, feel, and act, ultimately leading me toward lasting change.
7. Rest Before Sleep
I’ve learned that I must be rested to have truly restful sleep. Rest requires slowing down mentally and physically before my head hits the pillow. If my nervous system is still revved up from the day, I can’t simply switch off—I remain tight, constricted, and restless. It takes strength to receive this rest, to allow myself that gentle pause.
8. Turning Inward
One practice that helps is consciously withdrawing my senses from the external world, closing those gateways so I can turn my mind inward. This inward focus leads to relief, relaxation, and, ultimately, better sleep. Like a bud becoming a flower, it takes time for me to unfold into stillness. I also love contemplating how deep rest can parallel the concept of pratyahara in yogic philosophy—Savasana, for instance, can be a potent pathway to calm and self-awareness.
9. Leading with Love
When I come from a place of love—toward myself and others—I’m more patient and compassionate. I like to imagine tending to my personal inner garden; as I nurture it, the world around me becomes a more peaceful place to inhabit. Embracing radical acceptance helps me shower myself and others with kindness.
10. Undoing Through Practice
I see my self-care practices, including yoga and mindfulness, as a process of undoing layers of stress, tension, and old narratives. Whether I use crystals, journaling, or meditation, my goal remains the same: deflect negative energy (including my own inner critic) and return to love, calm, and clarity.
11. Training in Rest
I’ve embraced the truth that whatever I train in, I get better at. By bringing awareness to resting, self-care, and self-compassion, I’m training my mind and body to respond with kindness and presence. This is where real healing begins. Rest is not just a pause; it’s the prerequisite for transformation, a non-negotiable for true wellness. Indeed, rest is medicine.
12. Awakening to Love
I remind myself every day that love isn’t something I become but something I awaken to. It’s who I already am. To access it, though, I need to give myself permission to do less, expect less, and slow down. Rest is a superpower that helps me reconnect with the love that already resides within me.
I’d love to hear your own insights on rest and how you incorporate it into your life. What new perspectives on rest, wellness, and self-care have you discovered? Please share your mindful of rest takeaways and inspirations below!
Here’s to resting boldly and embracing a revolutionary approach to self-care—one that honors our innate goodness and the healing power of stillness.
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