These past pandemic years of disruption, isolation, discord and upheaval have made finding REST a challenge for many of us. But it made me thankful that, long ago, I learned the power of letting go. And my adult health has been better because of it. This thread of thought was prompted by a newish book The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond, that is reviewed at Big Think.
The lost art of rest: How to relax - Big Think Article by Paulina Wilk.
This life attitude is more important than we’ve realized. Recent research finds that our "personality" on the rest-stress axis can affect our ultimate cognitive state.
Your personality is linked to risk of dementia and cognitive decline
So at a glance, you can scan the TEN ACTIVITIES the author offers, from least to most often reported by 18,000 people from 134 countries who responded to the question “What are the activities you find most restful?” YMMV.
10. Mindfulness
9. Watching TV
8. Daydreaming
7. A hot bath
6. Walking
5. Hanging out, doing nothing, chilling
4. Listening to Music
3. Being on one's own
2. Being surrounded by nature
1. Reading
Each of these activities involves an interplay between the environment we choose (what is around us) and the attitude we bring with us (what is inside of us at the time.) Restful states are the results of choices we make. Their effectiveness in providing rest has much to do with intention, expectations and past experience doing that thing.
My Happy Writing Place Was a Place of Rest
As I read down the list, I thought about how many of these restful engagements have played a recent part in my own struggles to pull away from the shrillness and ugliness of our broken times and find moments of peace. But mostly, I remember the peaceful past, and am thankful.
I don't think I ever wrote about hot baths, but most of the others have been, if not the subject, at least the context of lines and paragraphs and pages I've written from my "happy place" as I used to call that almost forgotten point of view I coveted when writing.
I confess, I miss myself within that space, and am having a stern talk with myself to claw my way back to it. And write about and from that place again.
On the other hand, writing, only at times, is restful. Mostly not so much. But to have written--that is satisfying and relaxing--like having just finished your weight-room workout. WHEW!
I was surprised that READING was the number one pick.
For my own restful states, I'd pick 2, 6, 8, 4 and 9 in that order.
What are your top three out of this list? Read the article for the author's elaboration on each activity's role in rest, and the psychology and physiology of the state achieved by the activity.
I'm surprised about the reading too! I need to calm my mind before I am able to focus on reading. About 45 minutes to an hour on the Greenway by the river by myself can knock out about 5-6 items on that list. Then I'm ready for a good book! I'll check out the book. Another read on the subject is How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell. I highly recommend it!
I’m average! 1, 2, and 3 sound about right, with walking in there, too.
I hope you will get back to sharing more writing, photography or both. I enjoyed them both greatly.