After a few busy festive months, the pressures of New Year's resolutions, and starting the week with Blue Monday, it seems like a good time for some self-care. A big part of self-care can often be making time to rest. Everybody needs some ‘me time’ so why not dedicate some time today to rest, and try one of the suggestions in this blog?
What do we mean by resting better and why do we need to do it?
Resting and looking after your wellbeing is a skill. It can take time to develop this skill by trying new things and finding what works best for us through trial and error. By doing this, we will become so much better at looking after ourselves as we know what our mind and body need to relax and rest.
I'd describe getting better rest as finding and doing something that you enjoy, which will improve your physical and mental wellbeing. The benefits of supporting your mental and physical wellbeing can help your treatment recovery and have a positive impact on your emotions.
For some people, resting and relaxing comes easy and it’s not difficult to unwind. For others, they may have to make a conscious effort or are not sure what strategies work for them. Complete the wellbeing 'this or that' quiz and learn what type of rest may work for you.
Did you know there are many ways to rest?
Below are 7 categories we are talking about the different types of rest so you may like to learn what works best for you or something new. Click on the links below to find out more.
It’s natural to think of rest as getting cosy on the sofa or having a lie down for a while. Physical rest can also look like:
Here’s some resources to help you get some physical rest:
Go back to the types of rest list
These days you may feel more readily available to people than ever before with most of us having a mobile device with us at all times and being logged in to social media platforms. 24/7. Whilst staying connected has a lot of benefits, it can also impact your mental health as your brain doesn’t have chance to fully switch off with constant notifications. If you need to slow the noise in your brain down, try some of the following suggestions:
Make sure you know how to Manage your Online Community notifications by visiting our Help Pages.
Go back to the types of rest list
Living with cancer affects all areas of your life, including the way you feel. Noticing changes with your emotional wellbeing is natural and it’s important that you reach out for help if you start to feel worried about how you are coping. Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 for emotional support every day from 8am to 8pm.
There is lots of ways you can get help with your emotions. Try some of these suggestions if you need some emotional rest:
Go back to the types of rest list
Are your senses being overloaded? It can be multiple things stimulating your senses causing mild anxiety like feelings. Bright lights, noises, people talking, digital devices, smells and textures can all drain your sensory batteries. To get some sensory relief, try:
Here’s some resources to help you get some sensory rest:
Macmillan’s Relax and breathe audiobook may be a good start if you are going to try sensory rest. It’s a free resource found here.
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Taking time to be creative can make you feel joyful. It doesn’t have to be something that takes a lot of energy but allowing yourself some creative rest can help open your mind to different perspectives and help you feel inspired. Finding joyful moments when living with cancer may feel difficult but why not try one of the following when your thoughts are feeling a little heavy.
Here’s some resources to help you get some creative rest:
Go back to the types of rest list
By nature, we are social creatures, but everyone has a different social battery. Your social battery may be feeling drained at the moment as you don’t want to talk to your family and friends about your cancer, or you feel those around you are not boosting your energy at the moment.
Figuring out what recharges you can make all the difference and why not consider one of the following options if you need some social rest.
Go back to the types of rest list
A cancer diagnosis can sometimes make you feel disconnected from the rest of the world. It’s not uncommon to start to questioning your beliefs and lose a sense of purpose or belonging. Only those who share similar experiences can truly understand what you are going through. We see how effective peer support can be here on the Community as it helps you feel connected.
If there are times you are not logged into the Online Community and feel disconnected, some of these suggestions may help you get the spiritual rest you need:
If you have other spiritual self-care practices and would like to share these with the Community, you can do so in our Identity and cancer forums.
Go back to the types of rest list
We hope this blog has been useful and helps you get better quality rest. If you need further support with your wellbeing or need some help using the Community, please email community@macmillan.org.uk.
