Rest, Recharge & Reconnect: The Power of Intentional Rest
Summer invites us to slow down, reflect, and reconnect—with ourselves, our loved ones, and what truly matters. But in a world that glorifies hustle and productivity, rest often feels like a luxury instead of a necessity.
At Pursuing Wellness, we believe intentional rest is essential to whole-person health. This month, we’re exploring how to embrace rest as a form of self-care and renewal—not only for your body, but also for your mind, spirit, and relationships.
The Truth About Rest: It’s Not Laziness, It’s Life-Giving
Rest isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about doing what restores you. And that looks different for everyone. For some, it’s stillness. For others, it’s solitude, movement, creativity, or laughter.
Intentional rest allows you to:
Lower stress and cortisol levels
Improve focus, decision-making, and memory
Strengthen your immune system
Regulate emotions and increase resilience
Reconnect with joy, peace, and purpose
When you rest, you don’t fall behind—you realign.
Types of Rest You Might Be Missing
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith describes seven types of rest we all need. Here’s how they show up in real life:
Physical Rest – Sleep, stretching, or restorative yoga
Mental Rest – Taking breaks from screens, overthinking, or multitasking
Sensory Rest – Unplugging from noise, light, and social media
Creative Rest – Finding inspiration in nature, music, or art
Emotional Rest – Having space to be real and authentic without pressure
Social Rest – Spending time with uplifting people or being alone to recharge
Spiritual Rest – Connecting with something greater (faith, meditation, purpose)
How to Build Rest Into Your Summer
You don’t need a weeklong vacation to reset. Try these small but powerful practices:
Designate “no work” hours in your day or week
Take a mindfulness walk without your phone or headphones
Create a restful bedtime routine—no screens, just stillness
Write out your “joy list” and commit to doing one thing on it weekly
Unplug one day a week for a digital detox
Pause before saying “yes” and ask yourself: “Is this restorative or draining?”\
Rest is not selfish. It’s strategic. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Summer Support from Pursuing Wellness
We’re here to help you create space for rest and renewal through:
Private therapy or coaching sessions (in-person or virtual)
Mindfulness and breathwork practices for nervous system regulation
Restorative yoga classes to unwind and release tension
Monthly Wellness Check-Ins to realign with your goals
Self-care workshops and events to reconnect with your needs
Let This Season Be a Reset
This summer, give yourself permission to pause. Reconnect with what matters. Rebuild your energy. Rediscover peace.
You are allowed to rest. You are worthy of stillness. You deserve to feel renewed.