Infographic: The 7 types of rest you and your employees need

Heath Dunn
&
Phoebe Armstrong

Getting enough rest goes far beyond 8 hours of sleep. Use this infographic to understand the different types of rest that you and your people need to thrive at work.

If you’ve ever felt physically exhausted but mentally alert, or socially drained yet creatively active, you’ll know that your body requires more than one type of rest. 

In fact, according to research by Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, author, physician and work-life integration researcher, there are as many as seven categories of rest that humans need to engage with on a regular basis in order to function effectively in both their personal and professional lives.

Read HRM’s article on the types of rest HR needs to know about featuring commentary from Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith.

Understanding these different types of rest can empower employers to develop comprehensive strategies for stress management and building resilience.

The below infographic, created with insights from Dalton-Smith’s research, breaks down these categories and offers tips to ensure you and your employees are getting the breathing space you need to sustain motivation and wellbeing.


Improve your ability to support employee mental health and wellbeing in the workplace with AHRI’s short course.


 

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