Resting: Why We Rest, The Consequences if We Don't & The Different Kinds of Rest!

Hello world! Welcome back to another blog. In this blog, I will be talking you through something we all do in our life... Rest. But more specifically about why for autistic people we need more rest than usual, why it's especially important and what happens if we don't.

Why Do We Rest?

In general, we all know that rest is key for productivity, as let’s face it, working all day to the brink of exhaustion is not nice. So from time to time having a breather is important for us to recharge and then come back to the task at hand. Regardless if you're neurodiverse or neurotypical, rest is key for multiple reasons. These reasons include the following:

• To avoid exhaustion/burnout

• To recover from illness/injury

• To help us be present

• To help look after our overall wellbeing.

Why It's Important For Autistic People?

For autistic people, resting is vitally important, as we need just as much if not more rest than neurotypical people. For me, the reasons why I need more rest are the following:

• To help me calm down when my routine suddenly changes

• To avoid sensory overload

• To help me recharge from a world that's not fully accessible for neurodivergent people

Because we take in 42% more information than neurotypical people and because it’s a social disability, no wonder why we’re so tired all of the time. And as someone who’s day job whilst developing my acting career consists of meeting people on a regular basis, it’s important for me to have a breather when I finish.

What Happens If We Don’t Rest:

If we don’t rest, the following may occur:

• We get irritable

• We get burnt out 

• We become mute

• We won't be able to function for the rest of the day

The last one in particular is especially important. As in the past I didn't let myself get enough rest, and it did make me feel as though I was on low power mode. I also relate to the first one if I don't get enough rest, so if anyone out there is reading this, let's just say that you don't want an irritable Lucy if i don't get any rest!

Tips On Resting:

Now as stated in previous blogs, everyone's autism is different, so it may not apply to everyone. But for me, here is some tips on how I like to rest and the types of rest I do:

• Sleep-The most common and obvious choice, especially after an early morning start at my day job.

• Watching TV-Whether that would be fiction or non-fiction, having something to watch will help get me away from the world around me

• Reading-A very relaxing way to help bring my anxiety levels down, especially if I've got a busy week going on

• Creative-Whether it’s watching a show or writing the first thing that comes to your head, doing a creative form of self care will not only enhance the imaginative side of your brain, but it’ll also help lift off any tension you’ve got in your body

• Other Hobbies- These include learning languages and playing darts or archery, to have something else to focus on, as there is more to life than acting

And that is it on my blog for rest. Let me know how you take a break from the world, and what form of rest you like to use.

See you soon for another blog. Until next time...

This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)