The Accomplishment of Rest

When patients give me an update since their previous visit, they typically provide me with two pieces of information. One is what tasks, projects or activities they have accomplished. Closely following this is what they would have accomplished if they had felt better, been less tired or felt less affected by their health concerns. Together we evaluate these two measures to determine whether there have been improvements or changes, and strategieze towards the next steps. There is the expectation that the intervention (acupuncture, herbs, supplements, etc.) will lead to improvements which will later be measured at their next visit through the perceived increase in the accomplishment of tasks, projects and activities.

While it is reasonable to utilize measurements of activity to evaluate the progression of a condition and the efficacy of treatment, it may obscure the role of patients' behavior as a whole, and put an inappropriate emphasis on the need to be perpetually active. It is a slippery slope to believe that increased health is always the equivalent of increased activities. Whether it is due to the Western culture of "work hard, play hard", a Puritan work ethic, or meeting the desire to "keep up with the Joneses", the drive is always to do more regardless of its cost. I would like to encourage an opposing viewpoint that to do less is a critical accomplishment, the accomplishment of rest.

Few of us rest. A lot of us relax (although some of us don't even do that). Hobbies, sports, television...all of these activities are considered fun and relaxing, and hence a break from work. But they are not rest. Criteria for rest include lying or sitting in a supported position, eyes closed (preferably) or not actively watching anything, not actively listening and not thinking. For example, watching the news and simultaneously knitting is not resting. Sitting in the backyard watching the clouds drift by is. Resting in being uncommitted to a particular activity and unplugged from any dedicated attention.

For many of us, it would probably be a greater accomplishment to obtain 15 minutes of true rest than to do one more load of laundry or answer a few more emails. Yet I would also guess that if asked which one would make them feel better, most people would choose the activity over the rest. If they are a person who complains of being tired, stressed out or burned out, then the key question is "why?". Because understanding what keeps people from resting (and recovering) from the stresses of their lives is as important as any additional intervention I can provide.

We are all being increasingly pressured to believe that doing something is always more important than doing nothing, and the unfortunate outcome of this belief is the diminishing value attributed to rest. What is being lost is the recognition that doing nothing, that resting, is what enables us to do the things that are most important to us better. It give us the space to recognize our priorities, and enables us to act strategically rather than reactively. It allows us to integrate our experiences, our thoughts and our feelings into meaningful and coherent patterns that we can draw upon later for strength and resiliency. It nourishes our creativity through eliminating the constraints of being perpetually occupied with something. It invites a dialogue between the external world and ourselves through the recognition of a valued present moment. What is accomplished during rest is invaluable and irreplacable. Find that space, take a breath, and then another. Repeat until fully rested. It is all you need to do.