Sleeping 7-9 hours and still EXHAUSTED??
So you’re sleeping.
You’re “taking breaks.”
You’ve scaled back your calendar and added a few more walks to your week.
Why the TF are you still exhausted???
I used to ask myself this question ALL THE TIME.
And it took me a long time to find the answer.
But let me assure you:
It’s NOT because you’re lazy. Or broken. Or not trying hard enough to rest.
It’s because most of what we’ve been taught about rest is still rooted in hustle culture.
We were raised to believe that rest is only valuable if it helps us do more the next day.
That it’s a means to an end.
That it should look a certain way—sleep, maybe a bath, a vacation if you’re lucky.
But here's the truth:
Not all rest is created equal.
And what your nervous system actually needs isn't *JUST* a nap or a long weekend.
It’s restoration.
It’s reclamation.
It’s a full-body permission slip to stop performing productivity and actually start repairing the damage.
So if you’ve been trying to “rest,” but still feel wired and fried …
Here are 7 types of rest your body, heart, and soul might be begging you for:
1. Physical Rest
Your body says: “I can’t carry this anymore.”
Try: Gentle movement, naps, savasana, massage, stretching.
This is the kind most people know—but it’s also the one we override the fastest.
2. Mental Rest
Your mind says: “I can’t hold one more thought.”
Try: Brain breaks. Letting yourself forget something. Meditation that doesn’t involve “doing it right” or listening to someone talk at you.
Mental rest is about not thinking. Even if just for five minutes.
3. Sensory Rest
Your system says: “Everything is too much.”
Try: No screens. No noise. No lights. No multitasking. Just stillness.
If you’re living your life in Slack notifications, Zoom fatigue, and dopamine drip feeds … this one is non-negotiable.
4. Emotional Rest
Your heart says: “I’m tired of pretending I’m fine.”
Try: Crying. Screaming. Punching a pillow. Speaking the damn truth. Saying no.
Emotional rest isn’t about being calm—it’s about being real.
5. Social Rest
Your soul says: “I’m surrounded, but I feel alone.”
Try: Quality time with people who get you. Or guilt-free time away from everyone.
This one’s about boundaries, not isolation.
6. Creative Rest
Your spark says: “I’m numb.”
Try: Art. Music. Beauty. Play. Wonder. Nature. Laughter.
Not because it’s productive—but because it’s holy.
7. Spiritual Rest
Your inner compass says: “I’ve lost my why.”
Try: Stillness. Prayer. Ceremony. Walking in the woods. Sitting under the stars. Reconnecting with something bigger than your to-do list.
Let’s Be Clear:
You don’t need a better planner.
You don’t need a vacation. (I mean, yes, we ALL need a vacation -- but more often than not we end up needing a vacation from the vacation when we get back ... so that's not the kind of vacation we need here, right?)
You need nervous system-level rest.
And around here, we call that leadership.
Not laziness.
Not indulgence.
Sovereignty.
Because when you learn to rest in the ways your body actually needs?
That’s when your power comes back online.