Burnout happens in 7 ways

Sleep is not rest

I am chronically tired. If you are reading this, you probably are too. We have all woken up tired despite a full night’s sleep. We have all teetered on burnout despite prioritizing rest. And we know that combatting burnout requires rest. But sleep and rest are different, and our bodies need seven types of rest (via Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith). And your recharge strategy might vary based on which type of rest you need.

1. Physical rest: Passive (sleeping) or active (a massage) help restore the body and improve circulation and flexibility.

2. Mental rest: A brain that never stops or is holding onto too much needs this through lists (soccer at five, a Zoom right after, pick up prescription..and so on), shared gCals may be an antidote, or taking a break from a project. This rest prioritizes eliminating brain fog.

3. Emotional rest: Being able to feel your feelings and vent when you are emotionally tired.

4. Sensory rest: A break from bright lights, computer screens, loud music, etc.

5. Creative rest: Getting creative juices flowing to feel rejuvenated (this is my favorite type of rest — and I never realized that it was rest, until today).

6. Social rest: Being surrounded by positive and supportive people. This required differentiating relationships that revive us from those that drain us, and taking a break with those that revive us.

7. Spiritual rest: Prayer, meditation, or what it is that makes you feel good.

Burnout is a general term with general solutions. As I looked at the seven types of rest, I began to think of the triggers that require each type of rest and quickly drew a stress map. Diagnosing our exhaustion is powerful and equips us to understand how to improve our state of mind and performance.

(PS, Dr Saundra has a quiz to diagnose your rest deficiencies — disclaimer that I haven’t taken it. And shoutout to my friend’s TikTok that sent me down this rabbit hole).