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Beyond Sleep: Seven Types of Rest for a Safer, Healthier Workplace

Two cafe workers smiling and chatting at over a cup coffee

Supporting your team’s well-being in the tourism and hospitality industry is essential for maintaining safety, enhancing customer experiences, and fostering a resilient workforce. Rest is not just about sleep; it involves intentionally restoring various aspects of your energy to prevent fatigue, stress, and burnout.

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith identifies seven distinct types of rest—each addressing different sources of exhaustion. This article provides an overview of these seven types of rest and offers practical examples that industry leaders can use or share with their teams to promote the incorporation of rest strategies into their daily routines.

This addresses the physical fatigue you feel from the daily demands of life and work.

Example actions:

• A quick 20-30-minute power nap between shifts will give your body a chance to rest and can also help to boost your mood, reaction time, memory, and focus.

• Incorporate active physical rest activities like walking or gentle stretching during breaks or between shifts to ease muscle tension from physical effort.

Mental rest is for the constantly overthinking mind, which can cause brain fog, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.

Example actions:

• Pause for a couple of minutes to practice deep breathing or mindfulness before starting a new shift or after completing a task.

• Keep a notepad by your bedside table to write down nagging thoughts that keep you awake.

• Take micro breaks throughout the day. These brief pauses – often just a minute or two – help recharge employees, prevent burnout and keep focus sharp.

Sensory rest helps reduce the overwhelming amount of sensory input we face from screens, bright lights and background noise. A lack of this can cause irritability and headaches.

Example actions:

• Shut off screens periodically or intentionally close your eyes for a moment to help reduce sensory input.

• Unplug from electronics. Resist the urge to check social media, etc. during breaks and spare moments.

• Find a quiet location for breaks or go for a walk during lunch to soothe your senses.

This is the space to be authentic and share your feelings honestly, rather than people-pleasing. It is for those who feel emotionally drained from carrying more than their share of emotional labour.

Example actions:

• Practice being honest when people ask how you are, even if the answer is “not okay”.

• Allow yourself the space to express your emotions freely, whether through journaling, therapy or conversation with a trusted friend or colleague to share feelings in a safe, supportive environment.

Social rest is about discerning which social interactions restore your energy and which drain it. Spending time with people who relax and energize you is key.

Example actions:

• Integrating social rest at work can look like planning regular social happy hours, short group exercises, employee recognition celebrations, and casual coffee chats for any employees who want to join in.

• Limit contact with people who leave you feeling drained rather than energized. Seek out positive, supportive conversations with people you enjoy during your break times and after work.

• Make time for solitude to recharge your “social battery”.

Creative rest is for anyone who needs to innovate or solve problems. It replenishes the sense of wonder and awe necessary for creative thinking and new ideas.

Example actions:

• Display inspiring images or quotes in your workspace and/or incorporate “creative moments” during shift huddles and ask team members to share what inspires.

• Step away from a problem for a while to let your mind wander and make new connections.

This involves connecting with something greater than yourself to feel a sense of purpose and belonging. A lack of spiritual rest can lead to feelings of helplessness, apathy, and a diminished sense of accomplishment.

Example actions:

• Create space and opportunities for employees to honour spiritual practices at work

• Support individual and/or team participation in activities like volunteering for local causes to foster a sense of purpose and community.

Prioritizing rest in the workplace isn’t just a luxury—it’s a strategic investment in the health, safety, and resilience of every employee. When organizations embrace restorative practices, they cultivate safe environments where alertness thrives, accidents decline, and people feel empowered to bring their best selves to work. By championing rest, we don’t just protect our teams—we elevate them.

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