ANN/THE DAILY STAR – You know that state of living in a concrete box you call home? The dreadful traffic jam where you’re stuck and consider taking a quick nap? Yes, even if you snooze there (or in your comfy bed), you might still wake up feeling like you just wrestled a hawker to save just USD1. Why? Because, surprise, sleep and rest are as different as ice-cream and gelato – similar, but not quite the same.
SLEEP ≠ REST:
CITY EDITION
You would think in the city, with its defining trait of invoking chaos, people would appreciate any form of sleep, right? Wrong. Cities are for high-flyers, soaring high on ambition. And, whether you admit it or not, are we tired! It is not just the sleep deficit; it’s a full-blown rest recession.
SEVEN SHADES OF REST:
PICK YOUR PALETTE
Sleeping isn’t the only ‘shut-eye’ you need; let’s dissect the seven wonders of rest, shall we?
PHYSICAL REST:
NOT JUST A HUSTLER’S DREAM
Physical rest has two cousins: Passive and Active. Passive is your good ol’ sleep. Active is like a wellness retreat – think yoga, stretching, or an overpriced massage that claims to align your chakras but leaves your wallet lighter.
MENTAL REST:
CAFFEINE IS NOT YOUR SUPERPOWER
You know that colleague or your spouse who lives on coffee and is still scatterbrained? That’s a mental rest deficit for you. The antidote is not another cuppa, but brief respites throughout your nine-to-five chaos.
SENSORY REST:
A VACATION FOR YOUR SENSES
Ever feel like the buzzing of your air conditioning is out to get you? Your senses need a break too. Close your eyes or stare at a green tree for once instead of your green-lit notifications. Yes, it is true. Surrounding yourself in nature actually, realigns the mind that you desperately need to overhaul.
CREATIVE REST:
STARVING ARTISTS, TAKE NOTE
For all you idea-generators out there, you need to recharge your innovation battery. Bask in the glory of nature or arts, and no, TikTok videos do not count as ‘creative inspiration’. Take a slow day where you force yourself to do nothing but appreciate the little things that life has to offer.
EMOTIONAL REST:
LESS PEOPLE-PLEASING, MORE SOUL-EASING
That friend who says ‘yes’ to every invite, even if it’s as enticing as watching grass grow? Emotional rest is what they need, which basically translates to ‘It’s okay to say no without turning it into a melodrama’.
SOCIAL REST:
NOT ALL FRIEND IS GOOD FRIEND
Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not those who suck the joy out of you like a mosquito. Be selective with your friends and keep the energy vampires at bay.
SPIRITUAL REST:
FIND YOUR INNER PEACE
Connect with something beyond this mortal coil. Meditate, pray, or find a cause that makes you forget about the city’s infernal heat for a while. Get back in touch with your childish hobbies, and do not let others diss you.
THE MORAL OF THE REST STORY
Stop treating rest like a luxury only a rich man can afford. In a city that barely sleeps (let alone rests), understanding these shades of rest is as essential as knowing the shortcuts to avoid traffic jams.
PS: If you’re still deadbeat tired, maybe consult a doctor. Tiredness can also be air pollution messing with your lungs, and that’s a whole different problem. – K Tanzeel Zaman
