The Art of Rest

1. Reading is the most restful activity.

阅读在休息调查中独占鳌头，58%的受访者选择阅读为最能令人休息放松的活动。

Top ranked rest. The Rest Test, surveying 18,000 people across 135 countries, found reading to be the most popular activity for achieving rest. This wasn't about enjoyment or productivity, but specifically what made people feel most rested.

Active, not passive. While seemingly sedentary, reading is mentally engaging. It requires processing language, building mental images, and understanding characters' perspectives. Surprisingly, early research even showed reading could increase physiological arousal compared to simply resting or being bored, suggesting it's a different kind of relaxation.

Control and escape. Reading allows readers control over the pace and depth of engagement, making it less demanding than other media. It offers a powerful escape into other worlds, helping people forget their own worries and problems, even if only temporarily, contributing to its restful effect.

2. Nature provides a powerful sense of peace.

大自然会对我们有所裨益，能让我们放松，特别是当我们心情不好的时候。

Intuitive calm. Many people instinctively turn to nature for relaxation, a practice formalized in Japan as "forest bathing." This intuition is supported by research suggesting that exposure to natural environments can reduce stress and improve mood.

Restorative effects. Studies, including one famous (though debated) hospital study, indicate that even viewing nature, or looking at nature photos, can aid recovery, reduce pain, and restore mental energy. Walking outdoors has also been shown to reduce rumination compared to walking indoors.

Perspective and connection. Being in nature can offer a sense of perspective, reminding us of our small place in a vast, ever-changing world. This can help put our daily worries into context and foster a sense of connection to something larger than ourselves, contributing to a feeling of peace.

3. Solitude offers essential space for self-reflection.

独处之时，我们可以免受他人的评判，也不用保持一种社交时的形象。

Chosen vs. forced. While forced isolation or chronic loneliness is detrimental to health and well-being, chosen solitude is often perceived as highly restful. It provides a break from social demands and the need to maintain a public persona.

Space for self. Solitude offers a crucial opportunity for self-reflection, processing emotions, and gaining clarity on personal thoughts and feelings. It can foster creativity and aid in making important decisions free from external influence.

Balance is key. The ability to enjoy solitude often develops with age and is linked to having secure attachments; knowing you have supportive relationships makes being alone less threatening. Finding the right balance between social connection and personal time is vital for well-being.

4. Listening to music is a personal path to calm.

一般而言，你如果想通过听音乐放松，应该选择自己喜欢的音乐。

Preference is paramount. Research confirms that the most effective music for relaxation is music that you personally enjoy, regardless of genre. What one person finds calming, another might find irritating or stimulating.

Mood regulation. People widely use music as a tool for self-care and regulating emotions. Calming music is generally slow, simple, and harmonious, but individual taste dictates what works best in a given moment.

Intentional listening. While background music can be distracting, intentionally listening to music can be a powerful way to shift your mood and find rest. Studies suggest that listening alone can be particularly effective for relaxation, offering a private space for emotional processing.

5. Doing nothing is harder, but beneficial.

什么也不做，哪怕就那么短暂的一会儿。

The challenge of inactivity. Despite the appeal of having nothing to do, intentionally doing nothing can be surprisingly difficult due to feelings of guilt and the fear of boredom. Society often equates busyness with importance.

Forced vs. chosen. Forced inactivity, such as due to illness or solitary confinement, is detrimental and not restful. However, chosen moments of doing nothing, even micro-breaks of just a few seconds or minutes, can significantly improve focus and mood.

Unexpected benefits. Research shows that doing nothing after learning can help consolidate memories. Furthermore, boredom itself can spark creativity by prompting the mind to seek novelty and make new connections.

6. Walking offers physical rest and mental clarity.

出去走走让我们停止工作，但行走时，我们并非什么也不做，所以，我们收获了平静而又不感到内疚。

Escape and engagement. Walking provides a physical escape from tasks and work environments, while simultaneously engaging the senses with the surrounding environment. This balance allows for rest without the guilt often associated with pure inactivity.

Mental benefits. The rhythmic nature of walking can be meditative, and it provides space for thoughts to wander or for focused reflection. Studies show walking, especially outdoors, can boost creativity and reduce negative rumination.

Accessible rest. Even short walks, like a quick loop around the office building during a break, can improve mood and restore energy levels. Regular walking is also linked to better mental health and can help prevent depression.

7. Taking a warm bath is a simple, effective relaxant.

除了什么也不做...洗澡大概是最纯粹的休息。

Sensory pleasure and boundary. Immersing oneself in warm water offers immediate sensory comfort and creates a physical boundary from household tasks and digital distractions, providing a clear excuse to pause and do nothing else.

Physiological effects. Warm baths can help reduce stress hormones and, counterintuitively, aid sleep by initially raising core body temperature, which then cools down, signaling the body it's time to rest. Studies suggest warm baths can also have cardiovascular benefits.

Simple luxury. While elaborate spa treatments exist, the simple act of taking a warm bath
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Last updated: May 22, 2025