Laziness vs. Rest: What’s the Difference?

“How can I tell if I’m being lazy or if I just need to rest? I feel guilty whenever I stop, but I’m so exhausted.”

This is such a great question and one I hear often. When people are new to the idea of resting—or want to integrate more rest into their lives—it can feel uncomfortable. There’s often uncertainty about whether they’re truly resting or just being lazy, and a lack of trust in their own needs.

If you’ve ever wrestled with this, you’re not alone. Let’s explore the difference between rest and laziness and break down the confusion so you can move forward with clarity and ease.

the 7 types of rest you didn’t know you needed

Most of us think of rest as just sleeping or scrolling through our phones, but real rest goes so much deeper. The reason so many of us feel constantly exhausted and depleted is because we’re not addressing the specific types of rest we actually need. Real rest is about recharging the parts of you that get drained by everyday life, so you can show up fully for the things that matter most. Let’s dive into the 7 different types of rest, a framework provided by Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D., to help you identify and meet your rest deficits in the right areas:

Aligned Rest, life designLindsay Havlicek BellSeptember 10, 2024aligned rest, Rest, regulate nervous systemComment

Optimizing Performance and Life Through Aligned Rest

it all started after i spent three weeks immersed in the adirondack forest—lots of forest bathing, meeting my rest needs in ways i didn’t even realize i was missing when i first set out. when i came back, i felt like me again—more relaxed, grounded, and connected. you know that feeling when you finally exhale after holding your breath for way too long? yeah, that kind of clarity...

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