The Rest Test and Green Exercise

Watching birds at lunch. restful for me. Not for the fish.

Today, the Wellcome Trust announced the results of The Rest Test, a study of 18,000 people that shows 68% of us feel we need more rest. Based on the results, I have one suggestion I think will help.

We tend to think of ‘rest’ as being akin to sleep. But ‘rest’ really describes anything that relaxes you from your day-to-day life. So even something highly active can be restful, if it helps you disengage from things that may be weighing on your mind.

With that said, I was delighted to see ‘being in the natural environment’ at number 2, and ‘walking’ at number 6. I’ve often talked about the merits of green exercise for health and wellbeing, and this survey backs that up.

Take a walk

It also means you can get rested at work, just by going out for a walk in a nearby green space. I would personally recommend doing this on your own (‘being alone’ is at number 3 on the list) as if you have work colleagues with you, chances are you won’t switch off.

A half hour walk outside, rain or shine, will do you good. 18,000 people in 134 countries can’t be wrong!