Why rest is not the same as recovery
Stopping work can feel like rest and still leave you tired. Here is a way to tell the difference.
Two different things
Rest means stopping. Recovery means getting back what the day used up: energy, attention and a sense of choice. You can stop working and still not recover, for example by scrolling in bed while thinking about tomorrow.
Ways people recover
- Moving the body gently, such as a walk
- Time with people who ask nothing of you
- Time outdoors
- A creative or hands-on activity that absorbs you
- Sleep that is protected, not squeezed in
Try a small experiment
Pick one kind of recovery and try it for a week. Notice how you feel afterward, not only during. Keep what helps and drop what does not. Mindfulness practice is one option, and it suits some people more than others.
When tiredness will not lift
If you are tired in a way that rest does not change, or your sleep, appetite or mood has shifted for weeks, it is worth talking with your own doctor. A clinician at Accord can also talk with you about stress and burnout.
