How to ACTUALLY Rest if you have ADHD! #adhdtips

Summary

In this insightful discussion, the speaker explores the concept of rest beyond the conventional understanding of inactivity. They introduce seven distinct types of rest essential for overall well-being: physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual. Each type caters to different aspects of an individual's needs, from physical activity to finding purpose. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and scheduling these rest periods to prevent burnout and maintain a balanced, productive lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 😌 Rest is not just about physical inactivity; it has multiple dimensions that are crucial for overall well-being.
• 🤔 Traditional views of rest, like watching TV or lying in bed, might not be fulfilling and can even lead to feelings of guilt.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Physical rest can involve both reducing physical activity and, counterintuitively, increasing it to fulfill different physical needs.
• 🧠 Mental rest is about taking breaks from constant mental stimulation and can include practices like meditation and turning off digital devices.
• 💔 Emotional rest involves taking a break from emotional demands and processing feelings to maintain emotional balance.
• 👂 Sensory rest is particularly important for neurodivergent individuals, focusing on reducing sensory input to avoid overload.
• 🎨 Creative rest allows the mind to explore new ideas and can be achieved through hobbies or activities unrelated to work.
• 👫 Social rest is about managing social interactions, which can be draining, and includes spending time alone or with close friends and family.
• 🕉 Spiritual rest is about connecting with one's inner self, finding purpose, and can be achieved through practices like meditation, volunteering, or spending time in nature.
• ⏰ Incorporating rest into daily life requires scheduling, being intentional, setting boundaries, disconnecting from digital devices, and experimenting with different types of rest to find what works best.

Q & A

What is the traditional definition of rest mentioned in the script?

The traditional definition of rest mentioned in the script is sitting on the couch watching TV, scrolling on the phone, or going on a vacation.

How did the speaker's definition of rest change from their high division soccer player days?

During the speaker's high division soccer player days, rest was defined as the period of time between practices and games where they still needed to take care of their body, stretch, and move.

What did the speaker realize about the traditional rest methods when feeling burnt out in University?

The speaker realized that the traditional rest methods like lying in bed and scrolling on the phone did not fulfill them and only provided temporary relief without solving the larger issue of burnout.

Why did the speaker feel guilty during their rest time?

The speaker felt guilty during their rest time because their brain would go into a space of needing to be productive, thinking they should be doing other tasks like doing dishes or calling someone.

What did the speaker discover in August of the current year regarding rest?

In August of the current year, the speaker discovered that there are seven different types of rest, each necessary for well-being, and that not all types of rest are about doing nothing.

What are the seven types of rest mentioned in the script?

The seven types of rest mentioned are physical rest, mental rest, emotional rest, sensory rest, creative rest, social rest, and spiritual rest.

How does physical rest differ for someone with a high demand physical job versus someone who sits at a desk all day?

For someone with a high demand physical job, physical rest might mean lowering physical activity, while for someone who sits at a desk all day, physical rest might involve increasing physical activity like walking or exercising.

What is the purpose of mental rest and how can it be achieved?

The purpose of mental rest is to give the brain time to recharge and process information, which helps in staying focused, productive, and alert. It can be achieved by turning off phones, avoiding social media, practicing meditation, or journaling.

Why is emotional rest important and how can it be achieved?

Emotional rest is important to process feelings and maintain emotional balance, which helps avoid burnout. It can be achieved by spending time alone, avoiding stressful situations, talking to a friend, or practicing self-care.

What is sensory rest and why is it particularly important for neurodivergent individuals?

Sensory rest is taking a break from the constant sensory input we face daily. It's particularly important for neurodivergent individuals because they may have sensory processing challenges and can experience sensory overload more easily.

How can one incorporate the different types of rest into their daily life?

One can incorporate different types of rest into their daily life by scheduling time for rest, being intentional about the type of rest needed, taking breaks, setting boundaries, disconnecting from constant demands like phones, and experimenting with different rest activities to find what suits them best.