By Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D.
I recently overheard my child’s classmate ask a fellow preschooler, “Are you a hot mess?” It never ceases to amaze me how honest kids are, and also how they mimic what they hear and see around them. As a mom of 3 and running a private practice with a growing team, I understand what it’s like to end up, as my child’s fellow preschooler says, a hot mess.
Between work and spending time with my family, squeezing in private hockey lessons, after school practices, and taking the kids to Dutch Wonderland, no matter the season, I find it’s important to take time to relax and recharge on a daily basis. And, if I do find myself there, that’s okay, too. We have the power to choose.
We can choose to reset.
We can choose to relax (even for 5 minutes).
We can choose to recharge.
So we don’t end up in burnout land or running on fumes.
I know it can be hard to rest, especially in our society and culture that values high achievement, being “on” 24/7, and prioritizing work over everything else.
Even adding small and manageable ways to destress, rest, and recharge everyday can improve memory, increase productivity, and boost your energy.
Different Types of Rest to Lower Stress and Recharge
Resting doesn’t need to be at the spa or getting a massage (though those are definitely viable options to show care for yourself). You can consider rest as any way to turn inwards such as a time for self-reflection, daydreaming, or napping.
You may not realize that you resist resting or relaxing since it’s easy for us to get into auto-pilot. We will continue to do our daily routines and tasks, even if it’s causing overwhelm and burnout, because that’s what we’re familiar with. It’s easier for us to choose familiarity over change.
It might also be challenging to stop and rest because we’re uncomfortable with rest. You may have too many thoughts racing in your mind, and you’re afraid to spend time by yourself and be left alone with your thoughts.
You may feel like you need to run on active all the time, or you want to achieve above and beyond in work and in your personal life.
But there are many physical and mental health benefits to rest and relaxation, such as:
- Relieved stress
- Improved mood
- Increased concentration
- Boosts emotional well-being
- Decreased restlessness
7 Ways to Rest and Relax For Better Emotional Well-Being
When you’re considering how to add rest and relaxation into your daily routine, think of anything that helps you turn inwards. It can be a quick 5 minutes or a longer 30 minute period, depending on what you feel comfortable fitting into your schedule.
I suggest you pick one of these 7 ways to rest and relax for better emotional well-being, and see how you feel afterwards.
After resting, check in with yourself with the following self-reflective questions:
- What’s my mood like?
- Do I feel less fatigued?
- What helped or didn’t help?
- Jot in a Journal
Don’t discount the power of journaling because it’s a simple and effective way to turn inward. First, find a quiet corner to write. Then, you can use writing prompts to get you started or write whatever comes to mind. Sometimes expressing yourself without having to analyze your thoughts afterwards is all you need to alleviate your mood. - Get Outside
Step outside for some fresh air. You can stretch your arms up to the sky, and take a few deep breaths. Take a moment to close your eyes, and use your senses to notice what you hear, smell, or feel. - Watch the Sunrise or Sunset
Take a moment to watch the colors change in the clouds and in the sky. Find a comfortable spot to relax, either standing or sitting. Focus on what shapes you see in the clouds and the shades and tones of the sunrise or sunset. - Take a Nap
There are many famous people throughout history who were known to nap. There’s Leonardo DaVinci, Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Margaret Thatcher, to name a few. Additionally, many cultures have a tradition of napping, such as siestas, in Spain, the Mediterranean, and other Asian and South-East Asian countries.
Naps can also stabilize sleep patterns, and reset your energy. Though, if you suffer from insomnia, then it’s suggested to regulate your night time sleep instead of napping. You can figure out the best time to take a nap (usually in the middle of the day), find a space conducive for napping, and set a gentle alarm, such as gentle birds calling or instrumental music, for 20-30 minutes. - Practice Mindfulness or Meditation
Unplug your phones, put away screens, and be present in the moment. Either mindfulness or meditation, even just 5 minutes, can be done sitting, laying, or moving. - Move Your Body
There are so many ways to move your body and practice relaxation through physical movement. What’s important is to find physical movement that you prefer whether hiking, biking, yoga, stretching, dancing, or taking the dog out for a walk. - Enjoy a Hobby
When choosing a hobby for rest and relaxation, make sure to pick one that’s off-screen. If you spend a lot of mental energy at work, then consider a hobby that emphasizes manual movement, like gardening or knitting. And, vice versa, choose reading or crosswords or mental games if your work requires a lot of manual labor. Other hobbies include painting, coloring, drawing, singing (think karaoke-style), or playing a guitar or musical instrument.
Ways Our Clinicians Rest and Recharge
At Chester County Well-being, CCWB, it’s important that we’re aligned to our values and practice tools and strategies that foster emotional well-being and help us regulate our stress and encourage better mental health. As a part of that, we believe in self-care and self-compassion so we can show up fully for our clients.
So, I invite you to check out ways our expert and compassionate clinicians rest and recharge:
“By organizing my home.” –Carrissa Delaney, M.A., B.S.L., L.P.C., Family Counselor
“Being in nature.” –Allyson Galloway, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
“Doing yoga, beekeeping, and playing French horn.” –Bianca Stern, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
“When I need a mental reset, I like to focus on taking three deep breaths. I also enjoy doing some stretching on the floor – it’s always a bonus when my dog tries to join in!” –Dr. Jennie, Psy. D., Licensed Psychologist
“Cooking a big comfort meal on Sundays.” –Emily Lavalle, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist
“Hitting the bag with my favorite exercise of kickboxing.” –Abigail Taylor-Trout, Psy.D., Post-Doctoral Psychology Associate
“Travel and explore new places and appreciate different cultures and people.” –Madison Trone, M.A., Pre-Doctoral Clinician
“Taking walks in the park, shopping, and relaxing.” –Bisma Khan, Psy.D., Post-Doctoral Psychology Associate
“Yoga, meditation, painting, and dancing.” –Anna Youhouse, M.A., Pre-Doctoral Clinician
“Newfound interests in baking and Crossfit.” –Connor Grozier, B.S., Psychology Practicum Student
“I practice self-care by balancing my therapeutic work with reading psychological thriller novels, spending time with my family, and cooking.” –Regina Martino, M.A., Psychology Intern
“Running, spending time outdoors with my family, or reading a good autobiography.” –Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D., Licensed Psychologist and Owner of CCWB
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to rest and recharge with a quick nap or physical activity, taking even 5 minutes for yourself everyday is an effective way to improve your emotional well-being and mood. I invite you to consider one way to give your mind and body the rest and relaxation it needs so you can continue your day feeling recharged.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of burnout, feeling overwhelmed with work and family life, or unable to manage your stress, please reach out to your local mental health therapists.
We invite you to reach out to us at Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) if you’re looking for high-quality, client-centered therapy in Kennett Square and the greater Chester County area.
*Disclaimer: The contents of this blog does not constitute a clinical relationship or replace the need for professional services.
Contact Us
Here at CCWB, we value our clients and acknowledge the courage it takes to seek professional mental health support.
Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) provides a range of mental health services to ensure we meet our community’s needs. We serve individuals, couples, and families in the Chester County area. Contact us.
Our specializations include:
- Stress Management
- Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
- Work and Career issues
- Conflict Resolution
- AD/HD
- Family Counseling
- Parenting Support
- Couples Counseling
- Grief Counseling
- Addiction & Recovery
Teletherapy
All our clinicians provide safe and secure teletherapy sessions to anyone residing in PA. Additionally, we provide telehealth options for residents of other states, depending on the clinician. Simply head to our About Us page, and click each clinician’s “read more” tab for telehealth details.
Telepsychology services are provided by Dr. Kuangparichat and Dr. Stern to clients who reside in a state that participates in PSYPACT. Find out if your state is on the list of participating states HERE.
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About the Authors
Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D. is founder and psychologist at Chester County Well-Being.
She has a collaborative approach that results in highly tailored evaluations intended to meet her clients’ unique needs. She focuses on an individual’s strengths, which are integrated in the practical, personalized recommendations identified by the findings of an evaluation.
In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and getting ice cream or doughnuts from the local shops.