😴 Resting 101

The two types of rest, and how to use them over the holidays — in 3 minutes.

Author

Flocus
December 22, 2024

Hey there! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. 👋 If you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.

This week: We’re keeping it short and sweet with some tips for properly resting up over the holiday break. Let’s get into it!

😴 The 2 Types of Rest

Sleeping is your body’s way of recharging your battery. But sleep is only one form of rest, and it doesn’t meet all your needs.

That’s because you need both passive and active rest to feel fully replenished.

Let’s take a closer look at these 2 types of rest, why they’re important, and tips for making them even more effective.

🧘 Passive Rest

Passive rest is probably what you think of when you hear the word “rest”.

Most kinds of passive rest require very little effort, but others involve a small amount of movement or brainpower.

Napping, sleeping, and doing nothing are all passive forms of rest. Here are a few more:

  • 🧘 Meditating (either on your own or guided)

  • 🧩 Playing puzzle games, like sudoku and solitaire

  • 🤸‍♀️ Doing certain yoga poses, like child’s pose or starfish

  • 🧸 Cuddling with a pet or stuffed animal

Pro Tip: Put down your devices whenever you can. The internet is an amazing resource for relaxing games and yoga tutorials, but unplugging will help you feel even more rested.

🚶 Active Rest

Active rest, as you might’ve guessed, involves more effort than passive rest.

This kind of “rest” can tire you out physically and mentally — but it can also replenish your emotional, spiritual, and social energy.

A few examples of active rest:

  • 🚶 Going for a relaxing walk in a natural area

  • ☕️ Meeting a friend for coffee

  • 🥖 Cooking or baking something from scratch

  • 🌱 Doing some plant care

Pro Tip: Take it slow! Staying present and acting with intention can drastically improve the quality of your active rest.

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🪅 Flocus Picks

A curated list of things worth sharing.

🎄 Flocus: Your Holiday Productivity & Rest Companion

Set the tone for a restful holiday season or a fresh start in 2025 with Flocus!

Unwind with ambient worlds and calming soundscapes, or turn your goals into action with our priority-based task system and customizable focus timer.

We also just added an animated Snowy Winter Cabin theme — try pairing it with cozy ambient sounds and our built-in holiday lofi playlist.

🗳️ POLL: What’s your rest plan for the holidays?

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This holiday break, try to include a healthy mix of passive and active rest in your daily routines. Your brain and body will thank you!

What kinds of rest are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the replies — we read and cherish each one!

Until next Sunday 🎄

Flocus Team