Why Sleep Isn’t Enough: 7 Types of Rest We All Need
Kylie Becker, LCPC, ATR-P
As summer winds down, many of us find ourselves feeling more drained than refreshed. Vacations, kids’ activities, family gatherings, and the pressure to soak up every bit of sunshine can make this season feel just as busy, if not busier, than the school year. By the time fall arrives, it’s common to notice exhaustion or burnout creeping in, leaving us wondering: Why am I still so tired, even after getting enough sleep?
The truth is, real rest is about more than just sleep. While naps and a good night’s sleep matter, they don’t always address the deeper areas of depletion we carry in our bodies, minds, and emotions. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, physician and researcher, identifies seven different types of rest we all need to feel truly restored.
1. Physical Rest
This is the most familiar form of rest: sleep. But it also includes activities like stretching, yoga, or massage that release physical tension and help your body recover.
2. Mental Rest
If your thoughts feel like they never stop racing, you may be lacking mental rest. Short breaks from problem-solving, journaling, or even stepping away from your email can give your mind space to reset.
3. Sensory Rest
With constant notifications, bright screens, and background noise, many of us are overstimulated. Sensory rest means intentionally unplugging: dim the lights, turn off your devices, and give your senses permission to breathe.
4. Creative Rest
Feeling uninspired or “stuck”? Creative rest restores wonder and imagination. Spending time in nature, appreciating art, listening to music, or breaking out of routine can awaken your creativity.
5. Emotional Rest
Many people carry the weight of unspoken feelings. Emotional rest happens in safe, judgment-free spaces where you can be honest, release the pressure to please others, and practice authenticity.
6. Social Rest
Not all relationships restore us. Social rest means spending time with people who make you feel safe and supported, while also setting boundaries with interactions that leave you feeling drained.
7. Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest comes from connecting with something greater than yourself — whether that’s through faith, meditation, service, or simply reflecting on purpose and meaning in life.
🌱 Takeaway: If you’re feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, it may be that your body isn’t the only part of you that needs rest. By paying attention to these seven types of rest, you can begin restoring energy in ways that feel deeply refreshing and sustainable.
How to Discover the Type of Rest You Need
Awareness is the first step. Checking in with yourself can reveal where your energy is most depleted. Try these strategies:
- Ask yourself questions: Am I physically tired, mentally overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or socially stretched thin? Naming the type of fatigue can help you choose the right kind of rest.
- Journaling or tracking apps: Write down your daily stressors, energy levels, and moods. Over time, patterns will emerge.
- Mindfulness practices: Quick body scans or pauses to notice tension and racing thoughts can point to what kind of rest is missing.
- Use a rest checklist: Some wellness providers use tools based on Dr. Dalton-Smith’s work to help identify rest deficits.
- Seek professional support: Counselors can help uncover burnout patterns and build a personalized rest plan that fits your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Rest is not laziness. It’s an essential part of mental health and emotional well-being. When we broaden our understanding of what it means to rest, we open the door to healing, creativity, connection, and growth.
At Brighter Sky Counseling, we know that managing exhaustion and burnout is about more than just getting enough sleep. Therapy can provide a safe place to explore patterns of depletion and discover tools that help you feel more grounded and whole.
👉 If you’re ready to learn more about how rest and mental health are connected, explore our resources or connect with one of our therapists.