Two things that people sometimes don’t get enough of are rest and sleep. Both are essential for our health, but society often encourages people to forgo them in favor of working and experiencing more. The phrase “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” has been used to justify the neglect of our minds and bodies. It’s especially true for women, who are often expected to forgo much-needed rest and sleep to assist others. This can have a serious effect on our mental health, especially for those who are struggling with addiction.
That’s why mental health care facilities such as Painted Desert Recovery encourage clients to practice healthy rest and sleep habits. These skills are not just useful for undergoing treatment but also helpful in keeping clients in recovery. A properly rested and healthy mind can stay focused and resilient. To further understand the importance of rest and sleep, we must understand the fundamental differences between the two.
The Difference Between Rest and Sleep
Though often used interchangeably, there is a difference between rest and sleep. Understanding these differences allows people to form healthy habits that allow them to get plenty of both.
Rest is when someone is not engaged in any mental or physical activity, putting them in a state of relaxation or tranquility. This time is brief, often lasting for minutes at a time. When a person rests, it conserves energy and relaxes the mind. Many people will give themselves “brain breaks,” where they remove themselves from stimulating activities to relax, which is a form of rest. Some examples of rest are quick naps, daydreaming, or sitting quietly in a peaceful area. Taking rests is important after intense sessions of focus or activity so a person can resume their activities later with less chance of burnout.
Sleep is a natural biological function that most often occurs at night. The mind enters a period of reduced consciousness where brain activity increases, especially when dreaming. During sleep, a person’s breathing and heart rate decrease. The body uses sleep to repair and heal itself. For younger people, this is when the body grows. Sleep is vital to health. Without proper sleep, a person can experience a reduction in immune health and cognitive performance. Lack of sleep can also cause or worsen mood disorders such as anxiety or depression, which women are especially susceptible to.
The Importance of Both for Recovery
Having proper rest and sleep is important because they aid recovery. Rest in particular is important for those currently in treatment. Addiction treatment requires a lot of focus and participation. Sometimes, it involves discussing difficult topics such as personal trauma. Being able to rest allows clients to wind down after treatment and relax. These periods of rest can help prevent burnout, a serious issue where a person becomes too fatigued or stressed to continue treatment. Learning how to properly rest also helps after treatment, allowing clients to handle responsibilities, such as work and school, without stressing themselves too much.
Sleep, as mentioned before, is vital for life. It’s also vital for recovery, as it rejuvenates and refreshes the body so a person can face treatment the next day. Sleep is essential for regulating mood, so those who struggle with mood disorders are encouraged to get plenty of sleep. It’s also important in recovery because it enhances memory and the ability to retain information. Sleep also strengthens our immune systems, allowing us to resist diseases and recover quickly from illnesses. Without this function, a person cannot regulate their mood. To have a happy and healthy recovery as an adult, you need to sleep between seven to eight hours a night.
Forming Healthy Rest and Sleep Habits
Anyone can form healthy rest and sleep habits if they have help. At Painted Desert Recovery, part of treatment is learning how to take care of yourself. This involves many aspects of wellness, such as nutrition and stress management. Learning how to form healthy rest and sleep habits is just as important, so plenty of time is spent teaching clients how to do so.
Clients are taught about sleep hygiene. These are daily habits a client can perform to enhance their quality of sleep. Limiting screen time before time to sleep, setting a regular bedtime, and making your sleeping space more comfortable are small ways clients can improve their sleep. For clients struggling with sleep due to underlying trauma, trauma-based therapy is used to reduce their fear so they can sleep. Clients are given opportunities to work with a treatment provider to address other disruptive symptoms, such as nightmares.
Rest is important at Painted Desert Recovery because it recharges energy so clients can resist burnout. Located in scenic Utah, clients are encouraged to take advantage of the beautiful environment to rest. With a highly customizable schedule, treatment providers will work in times when a client should rest. This normalizes rest for the client and encourages them to make time to rest long after treatment has concluded.
Receiving treatment means allowing oneself to open up to learning. The staff at Painted Desert Recovery work to set clients up for success, and this includes being able to practice essential life skills. Addictions make life difficult, but recovery is possible for anyone. It takes trusting mental health care professionals to help you, as well as getting proper rest and sleep.
Being properly rested and having plenty of sleep is important for a healthy mind and body. It’s especially important for those in addiction treatment and recovery. Without either, a person can become tired and unable to focus. Treatment burnout is also possible without rest and sleep, prolonging the time it takes to achieve recovery. At Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah, clients are taught the importance of healthy sleep and rest. By forming healthy habits, clients can prevent burnout. These skills are then utilized in post-treatment life, allowing clients to achieve long-lasting recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, know that help is always available. To learn more, call (844) 540-0353.
