You slept for eight hours, so why do you still feel exhausted? It’s a common puzzle, and the answer may be that sleep and rest aren’t quite the same thing. Sleep is essential, but there are many other kinds of rest our minds, bodies and hearts need too.

One helpful way of thinking about it describes seven types of rest. See which ones you might be missing.

1. Physical rest

This includes sleep, but also gentler things: stretching, a slow walk, a warm bath, lying down for ten minutes in the afternoon. It’s about letting your body soften and recover.

2. Mental rest

If your mind keeps racing even when you’re lying down, you may need mental rest. Short breaks during the day help. So does writing down your to-do list before bed so your mind doesn’t have to hold it all night.

3. Sensory rest

Screens, notifications, bright lights and background noise can quietly wear us out. Try a few minutes with your eyes closed, a walk without headphones or an evening with the lights down low.

4. Creative rest

If you work with ideas or solve problems all day, you may need time to simply take in beauty without producing anything. Spend time in nature, visit a gallery or enjoy music without analysing it. How time in nature can revitalize your body and restore your soul is a lovely read on this.

5. Emotional rest

This comes from being able to be honest about how you feel, rather than always performing “fine”. Spend time with people where you can drop the mask, and give yourself permission to say no.

6. Social rest

Some relationships fill us up, while others drain us. Social rest means spending more time with people who feel easy and nourishing, and sometimes having time alone.

7. Spiritual rest

This is the rest that comes from feeling connected to something larger than yourself: meaning, purpose, community or the sacred. Prayer, meditation, time in nature or serving others can all offer it.

How little is enough

You don’t have to fix every type of rest at once. Read the list again and notice which one made you sigh in recognition. That’s probably the one you need most. Give it a little time this week, even just ten minutes.

For gentle ways to rest your mind, try 12 mindfulness exercises to start using daily.

There’s more in this spirit on the Guides page.