Rest While you Rest

Rest While you Rest

Not too many people need to be convinced that the body must have sleep. However, not many people are aware of the vital role of rest in preserving health.

Many people are apt to confuse the words rest and sleep as being synonymous. Not so. Though both are vitally important, they definitely are not the same. The condition of sleep exists only when consciousness has ceased. Not so with rest.

What is rest? It is a period of inactivity during which the body can restore expended energy. We’ve all experienced this. You’re tired and fatigued. Take some rest and you feel refreshed and invigorated.

Four kinds of rest are required to refresh your body and mind.

Physical rest may be obtained by discontinuing physical activities—sitting or lying down and relaxing.

Sensory rest is secured by quiet and by refraining from using the eyes, which curtails a great drain of energy.

Emotional rest is achieved by non-involvement in the ups and downs caused by personal interaction.

Mental rest is obtained by positive thinking, meditation i.e. Raja Yoga.

Takes Its Toll

Rest, in essence, is the curtailment of energy expenditure, which permits the body to redirect energies to restoration. It can be used very effectively to rejuvenate yourself and improve your outlook

For varying reasons sometimes, your sleep may be inadequate or you may have to be more active physically or mentally during some part of the day. In such situations, you become drowsy, sleepy, restless or down. You need rest.

Most of the stress that so many working people struggle under can be traced to forcing the body beyond its capabilities. Today’s “success at any cost” culture has some people thinking they would rather be caught stealing than caught taking rest. So, they push themselves, though feeling in need of rest, and resort to stimulants like coffee, tea, soft drinks etc. to perk themselves up. This practice takes its toll. The problem is aggravated rather than solved. Nervous energy is further drained by it, even though the drain may not be evident at the time.

In today’s hustle and bustle atmosphere of workaholism and efforts to succeed and get ahead, the body’s biological needs are often sacrificed in favour of productivity at any cost.

Just Try

It is far better to take some time to rest quietly, with eyes closed and the body still, so as to perform more efficiently thereafter, than to forget the needed rest and drag through and perform at a greatly reduced productivity level.

In many countries, a siesta is the normal practice. Animals in nature also rest during the heat of the day. Napping improves body functions, including digestion.

Resting prevents excessive fatigue and promotes better and more efficient work. It sharpens the mind and also allows you to fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly.

Try this: Turn your coffee break, your stimulation break, into a rest break and see for yourself what a positive difference this will have on your day. Just try it.

The healthy custom of taking a short noontime nap has been largely destroyed by the needs of an industrial society. This has, to a large extent, contributed to ill health and stimulated habits that make people in industrialized societies so highly stressed and diseased.

Resting and napping is not a sign of laziness, it is an intelligent and productive use of your time.

Rest and Yoga


Resting the mind is even more important than resting the body. A tired mind will not allow the body to take rest. Regular practice of Raja Yoga meditation for even a few minutes in the morning, at bedtime and at convenient intervals during the day would keep the mind constantly relaxed and considerably reduce the quantum and frequency of rest that would be required.

Raj Yoga meditation can be learnt easily online as well as at the various Brahma Kumaris Centres located all across the globe. It is completely free of charge and have helped many to learn how to keep their mind relaxed and focussed. It helps you to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Once you start practicing it, you will know the difference in energy, positivity and vibes around you.

If you wish to live a stress-free and calm life, learn RajYoga meditation today and become part of the better universe which is positive, calm and refreshing.