Day 14: Real Rest is More Than Just Sleep (The 7 Types You’re Probably Missing)

Welcome to Day 14. Today, we’re talking about rest. And I’m not just talking about sleep.

If you’ve been using the Physical Hacking Journal and/or the Unapologetically Feminine Journal in this bootcamp, you’ve already come across a powerful concept: Sensorial Rest, in which you’re guided to practice for 15-30 minutes to regulate your nervous system.

So let me ask you: how does it make you feel?
Is the constant buzz of anxiety finally gone?
Do you feel calmer, as if a storm inside you has finally settled?
Does your mind feel clearer, like someone wiped the fog off a windshield?
Are you suddenly getting perfect, clear answers to problems that had previously stumped you?

This is the power of true rest. When there’s too much on your plate, when you’re facing a massive obstacle, the answer isn’t to push harder. In rest and repentance is your salvation, in quietness, and stillness is your strength. There is no truer principle.

But here’s what most people get wrong: they think sleep is the only form of rest. And you can go to sleep for eight hours and still wake up feeling utterly exhausted. Why? Because you’re rested physically but drained in every other way.

This is where we dive deeper. Today, we’re looking at the 7 Types of Rest from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s work. And you’ll see it matches perfectly with the seven domains of life we’ve been working on.

Real rest isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re feeling drained, you need to identify what’s draining you and rest that part of yourself.

Here they are:

Physical Rest: This is the one you’re familiar with. It’s passive (sleep, napping) and active (yoga, stretching, massage). This rests your body.
Mental Rest: Is your brain constantly buzzing? Can’t shut off the to-do list? This is a mental rest deficit. Taking short breaks during the day, engaging in a digital detox, or simply writing down your thoughts can give your mind a much-needed break.
Sensory Rest: This is the one from our journals! Our senses are bombarded all day (screens, lights, city noise, notifications). Sensorial rest and practicing breathwork are a reset for your nervous system.
Creative Rest: Ever feel burnt out and unable to problem-solve? That’s a creative rest deficit. This is about absorbing beauty and awe. It’s walking in nature, listening to music, and visiting a museum. It stops you from draining your creative well.
Emotional Rest: This is for when you need to recharge after being constantly “on” and pleasing people, or performing. Emotional rest is the freedom to be your authentic self, to say how you really feel without fear, and to stop people-pleasing.
Social Rest: Ask yourself: do the people around you drain you or fill you up? Social rest means prioritizing time with people who energize you and, crucially, giving yourself permission to take a break from those who drain you.
Spiritual Rest: This is about experiencing a profound sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to something greater than yourself. It can come through prayer, meditation, community service, or being in nature. It’s the rest that reminds you you’re part of a bigger picture.

So, which one are you missing? You can’t fix a creative drain with more sleep. You can’t solve an emotional deficit with a sensory break.

It’s time to get specific. It’s time to rest smarter. Stop trying to just sleep your way to feeling better and start giving each part of you what it truly needs.