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Mental health experts recommend conscious rest to combat stress
Experts in neuroscience and wellness are highlighting the importance of conscious rest to combat stress and mental fatigue. Rather than simply avoiding all intellectual effort, true mental recovery involves engaging in positive, novel, and low-pressure activities that stimulate cognitive flexibility without causing exhaustion.
Neuroscientist Ana Ibáñez suggests that the brain often perceives a complete stop in activity as a threat to survival. To mitigate this, she recommends practicing 'guilty pleasure' periods—short intervals of pure enjoyment without specific goals—to train the brain to transition into a rest state. Other effective strategies include progressive deceleration, reducing screen time, and practicing mindful breathing.
Specialists from the Caldea thermal center emphasize the concept of 'active rest,' which focuses on changing one's pace through activities like walking, listening to music, or connecting with nature. This approach helps the mind transition from a high-alert state to a state of calm, preventing the persistent stress that the World Health Organization notes can lead to anxiety and other mental health disorders.
Entities
Ana Ibáñez · Caldea · Diego Catalano · Mayo Clinic · MindStudio · Sleep Foundation · World Health Organization
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Effective rest requires a progressive reduction in pace rather than an immediate stop. www.diariodealmeria.es · www.malagahoy.es
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The most peaceful retreat is found within one's own soul. independiente.com.py
- [● 2 SOURCES] The mind often requires more time than the body to transition from a high-speed mental state to a state of rest. www.diariodealmeria.es · www.malagahoy.es
- [● 2 SOURCES] Active rest involves choosing activities that change rhythm and direct attention to the present, such as walking or conscious breathing. www.diariodealmeria.es · www.malagahoy.es