REST

Link to full podcast: https://soundcloud.com/heelhang/the-artists-circle-rest

“Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” - Ovid

Prompt:

Everyone who practices any craft requires rest, emotional, physical, and mental. To follow up with our previous conversation about burnout, this week I’d like to work into our individual schedules some intentional rest. I myself am taking a few days off of teaching to rest myself physically and also take a mental break from what is a very consistent creative schedule. By taking a rest from my usual work schedule I will have the space to really think and reflect. So I encourage you to do the same. Instead of your usual routine, carve out some time to fill your cup with something that feels restful. Taking a rest doesn’t mean you are not invested in your work, just that you are taking a break from consistency to return with a fresh perspective.

My Answer:

I took some rest this week from my usual schedule and I instantly felt less pressure to perform. Physically the rest was nice but I think clearing my emotional slate was even more important. I felt clearer in my intention and less tied to perfection or productivity.

Thoughts and Actions:

There are several (7 to be exact) types of rest, and the key to really recharging is to identify what type of rest you need and then adapt your rest to fit that specific need.

Physical Rest

This is the most immediately obvious type of overload… the physical kind. Obtaining adequate rest on a regular basis helps the body function as optimally as possible. It reduces levels of stress, which contribute to increased chronic pain. Stress can also negatively affect mental and physical health. Rest is especially critical when experiencing an acute flare-up of chronic pain.

The relaxation response is the opposite of stress, switching off your fight or flight mode. Relaxing and resting deeply engages the 'rest and digest' function of the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body down.

Mental Rest

It’s easy to get mentally overloaded with screens or anything else that asks our brain to process high levels of information. The easiest thing to do is just step away and ground yourself. Meditation is a great practice, even for short times.

Social Rest

Socializing can be exhausting, but balancing draining encounters with restorative ones can help bring balance. Spending time with people who really know you is actually really restful compared to spending time with people who ask a lot of you energetically. Solo time is also great for resting in this way.

Creative Rest

What we do is super creative and that can be totally draining. We are constantly problem solving as artists. Surrounding yourself with inspiration can help replenish your drained resources—and take the pressure to create off your mind.

Emotional Rest

Being human is incredibly emotionally draining at times. Get some emotional rest by talking through your feelings with a willing listener, then keep talking to prevent future emotional overload.

Sensory Rest

Technology is great in so many ways for making art, but it’s also super draining. This one is easy… unplug.

Spiritual Rest

Again, I’m aligning a sense of purpose with spirituality. When we feel alone and adrift… finding a sense of purpose, something to ground you and provide a little context to your work can help.