20% off £30
Code:QUICK
Never feel rested? Why you need to cater your downtime to your personality type
Written byLiz Connor
Reviewed byDr Ravi Gill
Did you know that your personality can shape the type of rest you need? For World Introvert Day, a psychologist shares tips to help you tap out of endless zombie scrolling and fully recharge
Summary
1What are the different rest types?
Rest might seem like a blanket concept, but in her bestselling book Sacred Rest, psychologist Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith suggests…
2What's your personality type?
In the 1940s, author and researcher Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers delved into this fascinating concept…
3If you’re an introvert you should…
"INFJs thrive on activities that give them space to process their feelings and reconnect with their values," says Dr Gill…
We all know about the benefits of getting quality sleep, but rest is something completely different; it’s how we ground ourselves, reset our mood and recalibrate our nervous system.
Despite being so essential to our wellbeing, most of us don’t give much thought to our downtime. Instead, we default to familiar habits like late-night Netflix binges, endless TikTok scrolling or zoning out in front of a video game.
According to the latest "new-old" school of thought, rest isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept, and what feels like a soothing balm to one person might be frustrating to another. The secret to finding your relaxation sweet spot lies in your individual personality type.
To help you understand how your personality influences your rest needs, we spoke to psychologist Dr Ravi Gill for expert tips and activities that will help you unlock your deepest chill state yet.
What are the different rest types?
Rest might seem like a blanket concept, but in her bestselling book Sacred Rest, psychologist Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith suggests that there are seven distinct types, each serving a unique purpose in the self-care puzzle.
She writes that rest can be physical, emotional or mental, allowing our bodies and minds to recentre and recalibrate. Just like you need different vitamins and minerals to fuel different functions in the body, you need different kinds of rest to replenish different parts of your wellbeing.
By purposefully mixing and matching these types throughout your week, she argues that you can find more balance, energy and fulfillment overall.
Here are the seven types of rest you need to know…
- Physical rest is all about restoring the body through sleep, napping or light exercise. Think stretching, a short walk or simply relaxing with your feet up
- Mental rest involves calming the mind, taking short breaks from working, overthinking or ruminating
- Emotional rest is all about allowing yourself to express emotions in a healthy way, whether that’s through talking therapy or engaging in therapeutic activities that help release pent-up feelings
- Social rest means surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people, and distancing yourself from draining, toxic friendships
- Sensory rest can be achieved by unplugging from social media, dimming the lights and limiting noise, giving your mind and body a break from sensory overload
- Creative rest comes from engaging with art, beauty and music to stimulate your imagination and creativity
- Spiritual rest is the final type and involves reconnecting with a higher purpose, whether through meditation, prayer or community involvement
What are personality types and how can I identify mine?
Ever wondered why some people feel excited and energised at the thought of delivering a work presentation, while for others it's a nerve-wracking nightmare? The answer might lie in your personality type.
In the 1940s, author and researcher Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers delved into this fascinating concept, developing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – a personality assessment tool based on Swiss psychologist Carl Jung's theory of psychological type.1
The MBTI, which is still widely used today, categorises people into one of 16 personality types, each defined by a unique combination of four letters1:
- First letter: Either I (Introverted) or E (Extroverted)
- Second letter: Either S (Sensing) or N (Intuitive)
- Third letter: Either T (Thinking) or F (Feeling)
- Fourth letter: Either J (Judging) or P (Perceiving)
While some critics2 argue that the MBTI oversimplifies personality and it’s just one approach to understanding human behaviour, taking an online test is free and can still provide valuable insights into your tendencies, including your strengths and weaknesses.
"For example, extroverts3 tend to gain energy from social interactions and external stimulation, so they might need less solitary rest," explains Dr Gill. "On the other hand, introverts4 often expend energy in social settings and require alone time to recharge."
By identifying your personality type, Dr Gill believes you can better understand your natural inclinations and learn how to tailor your rest and self-care routine to recharge more effectively.
How can I maximise my rest based on my personality type?
So, you've cracked your four-letter combination and you've got a window of time to recharge. Here's how to make the most of your downtime based on your personality, according to Dr Gill….
If you’re an introvert you should… take up a creative hobby
"INFJs thrive on activities that give them space to process their feelings and reconnect with their values," says Dr Gill. “So, try picking up a solo creative hobby like music, painting or any activity that helps you to recharge emotionally without draining your social battery even further.
"INTPs, on the other hand, recharge best with mental challenges,” she continues. “So experiment with downloading a crossword app, stock up on a few bestselling books or try your hand at writing poetry. The key here is to keep your mind stimulated while still giving yourself the quiet time you need to reset.”
If you’re an extrovert you should… find a social exercise group
"When it comes to ESFPs, they stay energised when they’re taking part in lively but not overly taxing activities," says Dr Gill. "We often think of rest as a solitary thing, but for these personalities, being part of a small social group can be just as re-energizing." If you’re an extrovert, think about joining a local yoga class, organising a hike with friends or spending a weekend at your local climbing centre for some active rest.
"While ENFJs recharge by helping others," Dr Gill explains. "Volunteering with local charities or community groups can refill their social cup and bring a sense of fulfillment that's far more restorative than just vegging out in front of the TV."
If you’re an intuitive you should… try a hands-on crafty project
"Intuitive types love activities that let their imagination run wild," says Dr Gill. "So if your personality type starts with ‘I’, get stuck into creative projects like writing, drawing or dancing. Even something as simple as taking a walk in nature can help you recharge and clear your mind.”
If you're a sensing type you should… roll up your sleeves
Sensing types recharge best when they’re totally present in the moment. "They need physical activity and sensory experiences to ground them in the present and really hit the reset button,” urges Dr Gill.
Putting their phone onto airplane mode and getting outside can be a soothing balm for these types, whether that’s going for a brisk walk, joining a local fitness class or even running a lap of their local park. At home, try cooking up a new recipe, diving into a DIY project or tackling a crafting session – anything that puts your brain into a creative ‘flow’ state.
If you're a thinker you should… keep it intellectually stimulating
Thinkers love having a mental challenge, but in a low-pressure way. “Reading, solving puzzles, or diving into strategy games like chess are ideal,” says Dr Gill. “It’s stimulating but doesn’t require the stress of being tied to work or major responsibilities.”
These types can often find it hard to switch off in traditionally relaxing settings like meditation or sound baths, so finding relaxing hobbies that keep your mind engaged can be much less frustrating than trying your hardest to ‘switch off’.
Walking meditations can be really handy here, helping you to tap into your surroundings without getting bored or restless.
If you're a feeler you should… give your emotions some TLC
"For feelers, such as INFPs or ENFJs, the world can be a very overwhelming place," says Dr Gill. "These personalities need time to process their feelings and nurture their emotional wellbeing."
Periodic time alone, where you’re not soaking up other people’s energies, is essential for feelers. You could plan a solo movie day on the sofa or play music that matches your mood, practise loving-kindness meditation or chat with a therapist to help restore emotional balance.
The final say
In our 24/7, fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the power of intentional rest. Whether you're an introvert who needs solitude to recharge, an extrovert who thrives on social buzz or a feeler who finds balance through tapping out of intense interactions, understanding your unique rest needs is key.
By honing in on activities that recharge all of your batteries, you’ll not only feel more rested, but less prone to tipping over into burnout.
This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
- Myers IB. APA PsycNet [Internet]. psycnet.apa.org. 1962. Available from: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-29682-000
- Maguire LG. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Pseudoscience? | Human Performance [Internet]. Human Performance. 2024. Available from: https://humanperformance.ie/myers-briggs-type-indicator-pseudoscience/
- Fishman I, Ng R, Bellugi U. Do extraverts process social stimuli differently from introverts? Cognitive Neuroscience. 2011 Jun;2(2):67–73.
- Tuovinen S, Tang X, Salmela-Aro K. Introversion and Social Engagement: Scale Validation, Their Interaction, and Positive Association with Self-Esteem. Frontiers in Psychology [Internet]. 2020 Nov 30;11(590748):1–11. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7734327/
Related Articles
Shop by wellness goal
