The Art of Resting

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness and hustle. Yet somewhere deep within us we long for a slowing down in pace and a moment of rest. Both our physical bodies and our spirits are fatigued.

What naturopathy says about rest 

Naturopathic medicine views the body as an intelligent, self-healing system. One of its foundational principles is vis medicatrix naturae- the healing power of nature. Sleep and deep rest are not passive  states, instead they are when the body does its most important work. During rest, the nervous  system shifts from sympathetic overdrive into parasympathetic repair mode: cortisol drops, growth  hormone rises, cells regenerate, the immune system recalibrates, and the brain flushes toxins  through the glymphatic system which is only active when sleeping. 

As a Naturopathic practitioner, I often prescribe rest as seriously as any herb or supplement,  emphasising sleep hygiene, nervous system regulation, and time in nature. 

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of  water... is hardly a waste of time." 

— John Lubbock

What God Says About Rest

From the very beginning, rest is woven into the fabric of creation. God himself rested on the  seventh day. This was not out of exhaustion, but as a declaration that the work was complete, and that being matters as much as doing. The Sabbath was given as gift, not obligation. A weekly  invitation to lay down striving and doing and simply exist in God's presence. 

Jesus modelled this too. He withdrew regularly to quiet places to pray. He slept in the storm tossed boat and He gave this invitation to people: "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I  will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Christian rest however is not merely physical, it is a posture of  trust. To rest is to release control and remember that we are held and not alone.

Where These Traditions Meet 

What is striking is how beautifully these two streams converge. Both naturopathy and Christian  faith recognise that humans are not machines. Both honour rhythm, the inhale and exhale, the work and the Sabbath, the season of growth and the season of dormancy. Both warn against the pursuit of  endless productivity. And both place deep value on the integration of body and soul as inseparable.

Rest, then, is a whole-person practice. When you sleep well, you pray more clearly. When you tend  to your nervous system, you find it easier to be still before God. When you keep the Sabbath, your  body benefits as surely as your spirit. The two are not in competition, rather, they speak the same  language.

Perhaps the most countercultural act available to us today is simply to stop. To breathe. To trust that  the world will hold together without our constant effort. To let the body heal and the soul be  nourished. To receive rest, not as a reward earned, but as a gift already given.

Here as some ways that I bring rest into my life:  

Naturopathic Practices for Rest

Consistent Sleep Rhythms: Same sleep and wake time, aiming for minimum 8h sleep, consistent sleep hygiene practices  

Herbal and Nutritional Support: Nervines and adaptogens, vitamins and minerals such as  Magnesium, food as medicine 

Breath Work: Taking moments every day for deep breathing such as before meals  Digital boundaries before bed: limiting screens once the sun goes down and reducing blue light

Nature and Light: Daily exposure to nature and sunshine (or rain or clouds :p) 

Spiritual Practices for Rest 

Sabbath-Keeping: A day of no to do’s, spending a quiet day slowing down and enjoying the presence  of God 

Stillness: Taking moments to just be still, do nothing, listen (best with a cup of tea) Gratitude: Daily moments of thanking God for all he does and is 

Prayer: bringing our worries to Him, seeking His will, enjoying His presence 

Joy: Daily moments of delight and doing things that nourish my soul (For me that is being creative  through pottery or art, baking, drinking tea or coffee and enjoying time with my loved ones) 

Although these are divided into two sections, ultimately everything we do is spiritual and it is all  intertwined. I hope this gives you some ideas from my own life for ways in which you can begin  finding rest.  

Your body and soul was designed to rest. You have permission to begin.