Discussion board 'Seven kinds of rest'

Rest is more than sleep

This infographic describes the 7 types of rest from Dr. Dalton-Smith's research. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith discovered that rest isn't just about sleeping. She noticed that people often remain tired, even after spending enough time in bed. So she began researching which types of rest we actually need. She arrived at seven types: rest for your body, your mind, your senses, your creativity, your emotions, your social life, and your soul. Her research showed that everyone needs a different mix. Sometimes you need silence, sometimes inspiration, or just a break from people. Her work helps people recharge in a more focused way.

Who is this poster for?

This poster is for anyone who finds it difficult to rest or who quickly becomes overstimulated. It's useful for parents, teachers, caregivers, employers, and coaches. Basically, for anyone who sometimes struggles to find the right kind of rest. The poster helps people discover together what kind of rest someone needs and how to easily find it in everyday life.

How can you use this picture?

You can use this poster to discuss what someone needs to truly recharge. Choose one of the seven types of rest and see which examples work best. Let children point out what works for them, or use the poster as a starting point for a short conversation in the classroom, at home, at work, or in a social work setting. It's an easy way to make rest concrete and discussable.

Available sizes

You can purchase this worksheet in various formats:

• Download PDF file - A3 format. Also printable in A4*.
• Buy physical A3 paper – waterproof and tear-resistant.

* You can also print an A3 PDF on A4 paper using a standard A4 printer. When printing, select "fit to paper size" or a similar setting in the settings. The wording will be slightly different for each printer. Because A3 and A4 have the same aspect ratio, the A3 PDF will fit perfectly on A4 paper. Of course, everything will be much smaller; I designed the image for A3.