Rest is like magic: the self-healing capacity of the body

Sounds like magic right? Our body's ability to heal itself. Maybe even far fetched? However, this incredible process is actually very tangible, and I’d love to talk more about it here.

Our bodies are naturally equipped with the ability to heal and restore balance. Think about a scrape or a cut. You don’t have to give your body specific instructions or tell it what to do. Yet, somehow, the body makes sure the wound heals.

What’s important, though, is creating the right environment for your body to do its repair work. For example, keeping the wound clean and dry. As long as you do that, your body almost always knows how to heal your skin and keep harmful bacteria out.

(And just to clarify, I’m not talking about major physical trauma or injuries here. In those cases, stitches or surgeries are essential. Something we have beautifully developed as humans.)

Healing is something the body naturally seeks. Whether it’s tension, pain, or some kind of imbalance, your body is always working towards restoring harmony. But to be able to do that, it needs one key ingredient: rest.

Just like it's hard to really catch your breath while your full force into a sprint. It's hard for your body to do repair work when it's always in an active state. If you’re always in motion, be it physically or mentally, your body will struggle to focus on repair and recovery. Resting, sure, it might sound straightforward. But in our fast-paced society, it’s something we struggle to grasp—or even accept.

To me, the simplest way to describe rest is a moment in which you don’t have to do anything, but instead, you can just be. A time when you’re not trying to be productive or are striving to achieve something (again, be it physically or mentally).

But here’s the tricky part: you can’t force rest. You can only invite it in. Sometimes, our minds and bodies are so switched on that even relaxing activities don’t feel restful. Unfortunately rest also doesn’t happen when we are strict towards ourselves and say “NOW I MUST REST.” If someone else would bark an order at you, chances are, you’d feel tense, not calm.

This illustrates the importance of allowing ourselves moments where we don’t need to achieve or accomplish anything. Moments where we can be gentle with ourselves. In those instances, the body can do its subtle work, nourishing you from the inside out. By doing so giving room for you to feel energized and inspired to focus on what brings you joy.

Do you often feel stuck in a cycle where rest and relaxation seem out of reach? In a constant battling to unwind, yet you never seem to get there? If so, maybe the word soften can help.

Ask yourself: how can I be softer with myself? How do I speak to myself? What small things can I do simply because I wish for them? What activities feel gentle and nurturing? And when you notice you’re doing something out of a sense of obligation or pressure, pause. Take a moment to observe and see if you approach yourself with more kindness.

If this resonates with you, I highly recommend reading up on the Vagus Nerve. It plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s state of rest and is absolutely fascinating!