For most people, rest begins and ends with sleep. A good night’s rest is often touted as the ultimate cure-all for fatigue. But experts say that sleep is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. True restoration, they argue, comes from a multifaceted approach, one that accounts for mental strain, emotional burnout, and even social overload.
When Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, an internal medicine physician, introduced the concept of the seven types of rest in her 2017 book Sacred Rest, she gave a name to what many people intuitively felt: that fatigue runs deeper than lack of sleep. Since then, her framework has been embraced by physicians, psychologists and coaches who see the toll modern life takes on mental, emotional, and even spiritual reserves.
Now, an emerging body of scientific research is beginning to validate what Dr. Dalton-Smith proposed — that rest is multifaceted, and that true recovery requires more than a good night’s sleep. Here are six lesser-known types of rest supported by recent findings in neuroscience, psychology and workplace studies.
Mental Rest
Mental fatigue is often invisible but deeply impairing. Research published in PNAS has shown that persistent cognitive load — such as frequent task switching, multitasking, and information overload — can degrade working memory and decision-making accuracy. Other studies have linked chronic mental strain to burnout and impaired emotional regulation.
Mental rest doesn’t necessarily mean meditation or silence. It can involve short, structured breaks during the workday, low-stakes tasks like journaling or folding laundry, or simply allowing the mind to wander.
Sensory Rest
From overhead lighting and screen glare to background noise and buzzing phones, modern life delivers a constant stream of sensory input. While much of it goes unnoticed, the cumulative effect can be taxing. Studies, including those in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, have shown that excessive sensory stimulation is associated with reduced sleep quality, increased stress, and diminished focus.
Sensory rest involves intentionally reducing that input — whether by dimming lights, turning off notifications, or retreating to a quiet environment. Some therapists even integrate silent retreats or sensory deprivation techniques into treatments for anxiety and burnout.
Creative Rest
Creativity is not the sole domain of artists. Engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and parents all rely on creative problem-solving — and like any cognitive function, it can be depleted.
Creative rest, according to researchers, involves consuming rather than producing inspiration. Activities like walking in nature, visiting a museum, or listening to music can help restore imaginative capacity. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that exposure to natural environments significantly enhances divergent thinking, a key marker of creativity.
Emotional Rest
In emotionally demanding professions — from healthcare and education to customer service — many workers are expected to regulate their feelings while performing high-stakes tasks. Over time, this can lead to emotional dissonance, a state in which people feel disconnected from their internal emotional lives.
A 2020 study in Occupational Health Science found that workers who frequently engage in “surface acting,” or faking positive emotions, experience greater emotional exhaustion and depressive symptoms. Emotional rest means having spaces where one can be authentically vulnerable — through therapy, close friendships, or even solitary reflection.
Social Rest
While socializing is often seen as energizing, the quality of our social interactions matters more than the quantity. For some, being around others depletes energy, especially when the environment demands performance or emotional labor.
According to Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychologist at Brigham Young University, social connection is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health — stronger even than exercise or diet. Her research, including a 2015 meta-analysis, found that people with meaningful social relationships live longer and experience less chronic stress.
Social rest doesn’t require total withdrawal. It may involve seeking out emotionally supportive people or simply spending time in solitude.
Spiritual Rest
Spiritual rest is less about religion than meaning. For some, it is rooted in faith; for others, it may arise through community service, time in nature, or meditation. What matters is a sense of connection to something larger than oneself.
A 2022 study in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who reported a strong sense of life purpose exhibited greater psychological resilience and lower levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone. Practices that cultivate spiritual rest — prayer, reflection, mindfulness, or even intimate conversation — may help people reframe adversity and restore a sense of coherence.
