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“Rest is not idle, is not wasteful. Sometimes rest is the most important thing you can do for body and soul.” – Erica Layne

The human body is incredible. We are so used to living within our bodies that we can become accustomed, and almost apathetic, to its incredible capacity. Is it a bit like homeostasis – remember that from Biology class?! Without us even having to think about it, our bodies keep our temperature constant; so if it’s warm, it gets us sweating, and if it’s cold, that’s when the shivering and teeth-chattering comes on. Just look at some of the world’s finest athletes, or people whose brains have retained and discovered magnificent depths of knowledge. To name a handful from an endless list – Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, Mare Curie, Albert Einstein – all showcasing the great potential the human form has, through its resilience, strength and adaptability. The one thing common to all human beings, no matter what limits or capabilities we have pushed our bodies to, however, is that we need to rest. This is what this article will be taking a closer look at; why rest is so important for us and how it contributes to us living a healthy, balanced life.

“Sleep is an essential part of life – but more important, sleep is a gift.” – William C. Dement

I’ve heard it said before that if we could bottle what sleep gives us, it would be the most expensive thing on the market. There can be an assumption that ‘rest’ and ‘sleep’ are not synonymous with productivity. However, as the opening quote in this article suggests, ‘true rest’ is so essential for the proper functioning of our body and soul – making it a key component of maintaining a healthily balanced life. So, take sleep first of all. Despite the fact that we are unconscious, while we sleep, our bodies repair tissues and boost our immune system, process and store memories from the day, and balance important hormones.^[1] All of this unconscious work helps us to stay physically, mentally and emotionally healthy, to think clearly, and keep our body’s systems running smoothly. And, at a less scientific angle, a good night’s sleep is wonderful to experience. It is no wonder that in some films, the scene where the character eagerly jumps onto a fresh, comfortable bed has become a common trope to symbolise the relief and universal joy of a good night’s sleep. So, whereas sleep is not the only means of resting well, it is a foundational one.  When we are intentional to make the time for a full night of it, that will naturally allow us to feel refreshed and possibly even more content.

“Recreation and amusement are as necessary to the mind as sleep to the body.” – Christian Nestell Bovee

Even though sleep is a core character under the umbrella of rest, it’s not the sum of its meaning. In fact, there are as many ways to rest in the world as there are places to sit, think, go for a walk, have a cup of coffee, kick around a football, read a book, watch a film – the list goes on. It’s not necessarily about the activity itself, but the disposition with which we engage with it. When doing something for fun, it can be helpful to let the side of ourselves that seeks to strive for the best results, have time to decompress as well. While it is important for us to aim for greatness in life, we need moments that allow us to just ‘be’ and do something for the sake of sheer enjoyment. Not that we mindlessly go through the motions of an activity, but, rather, to engage in a way that does not pressurise us. Our goal is to relieve stress in these times, not add to it! To truly benefit from recreational activities, we must intentionally plan and prioritise them in our weeks, treating them as activities that are equally essential to our other responsibilities. This balance helps us recharge and handle other areas in our lives, like work and relationships, more effectively. From a scientific standpoint,  when we are doing something leisurely that we enjoy, it promotes our brain’s neuroplasticity – our memory, learning, and problem-solving skills.^[2] So, the next time you feel guilty for sitting down to a cup of tea and a nice book when you know you have a million little tasks to do, remember that your body is designed to function best when it has these moments of rest!

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” – Saint Augustine.

There is something within us, beyond the science of what our brains and bodies crave, that seeks true rest. Not just in our energy levels, but at the core of our being. Genesis 2:2-3 (RSV) shows us that even God rested, and Hebrews 4:9-10 (RSV) reminds us, “So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labours as God did from His.” God’s example in these scripture verses show us that this is the kind of life He intended for humanity from the beginning – that rest should be fundamental to the rhythm of life. This ‘rest’ does not just come from the omittance or addition of activity, but also from our identity and inheritance as God’s creation. In the Christian context, rest is a vital practice to draw the heart closer to God, renew one’s strength, and restore the soul. Christians believe that true rest and fulfilment are only found in God. In Judaism, – Jesus’ religious practice during His time on earth – the new ‘day’ traditionally began the night before, reminding us that we start our day from a place of rest.^[3] There is a great relief to this thought; that we are not meant to live from a place of striving, but that we are invited by God to live from a place of rest. Not from within ourselves and our capabilities, but in Him. “And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.’” (Mark 6:31 RSV). Prayer and receptivity to God in our lives, is how we truly connect with our Creator and find peace. As intricately and wonderfully as God designed the human person and their many abilities, He also made us with a deep need for rest, which, if  embraced, can have tangible benefits in all aspects of our life and well-being.

In embracing rest as both a physical and spiritual necessity, we honour the design in which we were created by God. From the restoration of sleep to the joy found in leisure, and ultimately to the profound rest offered by God, it’s possible that true fulfilment and peace are not found in constant activity or the cessation of such, but in moments of intentional rest and connection with our Creator. As we prioritise rest in our lives through each of these avenues, we nurture our bodies, minds, and souls, aligning ourselves with God’s intended balanced structure.

Activity:

Speaking about cultivating rest in our lives with God, An Tobar Nua’s media resource for Religious Education (RE) teachers and their students, SAOL, has numerous activities in its Teachers Resource Document that suggest practical ways we can focus on growing in different areas of faith and well-being. The episode on ‘Peace’ has a simple activity in the Teachers Resource Document that works perfectly for living out this invitation to rest in God.

It suggests that one writes a letter to God using the acronym S.A.T. (Share, Ask, Thank) to connect with Him about their worries.

• Share: Share your worries or concerns with God.
• Ask: Ask God for help or guidance regarding those worries.
• Thank: Thank God for all the good things in your life, expressing gratitude.

Then you symbolically release any concerns noted by tearing up the letter, emphasising finding rest in God’s presence.

^[1] “Why Do We Need Sleep?” Sleep Foundation, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/why-do-we-need-sleep. (accessed July 9, 2024).

^[2] “Neuroplasticity Exercises: How to Rewire Your Brain for a Better Life,” NHNSCR, https://www.nhnscr.org/blog/neuroplasticity-exercises-how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-a-better-life/ (accessed July 9, 2024).

^[3] Rabbinical Assembly, “Counting the Omer: A Kavanah for Each Day,” (New York: Rabbinical Assembly, 2023), 29,  counting-day-night.pdf (rabbinicalassembly.org) (accessed July 10, 2024).