There's no gold medal in the stress Olympics - here's how to start resting [View all]

[littlemissmartypants]

Madeleine Aggeler
Mon 19 Jan 2026 12.00 EST

Every new year – after the holiday glut of travel, parties, shopping and baked goods – there can be pressure to do and be more: more active, more productive, more creative, more thrifty. Maybe this will be the year I finally start meal planning or doing morning pages. New year, new me!

But what if the thing we needed more of was to do less? What if this was the year we finally learned to rest?

“We all involuntarily participate in the stress Olympics, and are aware that the busiest person wins gold,” says Amelia Nagoski, co-author of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle.

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Drawing on Dalton-Smith’s work, the American Psychological Association put together examples of how to practice the seven types of rest:

Physical rest: making sure you get enough sleep; taking naps.

Mental rest: journaling; meditating; doing tasks that are not mentally taxing, like puzzles.

Emotional rest: talking through feelings and experiences with a friend or therapist.

Social rest: setting aside time alone to recharge; making sure you’re spending time with people who don’t leave you feeling drained.

Sensory rest: spending time outdoors; taking breaks from screens.

Creative rest: engaging in creative hobbies like drawing, reading or dancing.

Spiritual rest: connecting to a cause or tradition that feels meaningful to you.

Snip...much more...
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2026/jan/19/how-to-start-resting

❤️pants