The Importance of R&R
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax” - Mark Black
It’s so easy to forget that relaxing for just 5 minutes periodically by simply stepping away from things or circumstances that cause our stress levels to rise, can give us the boost we need to tackle whatever we are facing.
Actually, stress isn’t all bad! A certain amount of stress is vital to deal with difficult situations. Physical changes in our bodies occur enabling us to take necessary action and then recede again once the stressor has passed. However, if we stay in a state of high stress for too long, it can be damaging to our health.
Physical symptoms such as headaches, tension in the neck/shoulders, dizziness, fatigue and poor sleep can all result from stress overload. Stress can affect our mental state too as it elevates levels of cortisol; a hormone that affects brain function, resulting in anxiety, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions and racing thoughts. Not to mention emotional symptoms can present as irritability, feeling overwhelmed, low self-esteem and depression.
Research has found that living in a continually stressed state can lead to serious health issues including heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic pain, insomnia and it may even have a role in dementia and seizures.
Eating healthily, staying well hydrated and regular movement are all important facets of maintaining our health in a high-stress world — but so is rest & relaxation (R&R). In fact, nothing counteracts the negative impact of stress quite like R&R. Most of us know that we need to rest and relax more because it makes us feel better, however, many of us don’t realise the many and diverse potential health benefits. Here are just a few:
Boost Immunity - Highly stressed people or those who aren’t relaxing or getting enough sleep can suffer from a weakened immune system and may be more susceptible to infections
Reduce Inflammation - Inflammation is linked to all types of health issues ranging from stroke to heart disease and it is also major source of arthritis. According to a 2010 study, people who get 6 or less hours of sleep per night are more likely to have inflammatory proteins in their blood than those who get enough sleep
Support Memory Function - Rest affects how nerve cells communicate with each other. New research suggests that sleep plays a housekeeping role by removing toxins in the brain that build up while we are awake so we can actually learn, process and retain things better once we rest
Maintain a Healthy Weight - Hunger hormones can quickly get out of balance as a result of stress and sleep deprivation. Such hormonal imbalances can also make sleep-deprived people more insulin resistant, which can ultimately lead to diabetes. Plus, people who are stressed/tired are more likely to turn to simple carbs for instant energy, instead of the balanced nutrition our bodies really need.
So giving ourselves some time to rest and relax is not indulgent, it’s vital to staying healthy and it can even help us make better health choices!
