Almost everything in the universe exists and is perpetuated by the same basic equation. Energy in equals energy out. Living beings, and technological equipment too, only function when they have been replenished. Whether that is with oxygen, sunlight, petrol, water or electricity - we accept that we must restore the balance to achieve optimal performance, or indeed performance at all.

We readily accept that if we forgot to feed our goldfish, that it would eventually die. If we forgot to charge our phone, it would remain lifeless no matter how many times we desperately hold down the ‘on’ button. If we don’t fuel our car with the correct fuel, or at all, it wouldn’t run smoothly.

And whilst most of us are largely proficient in keeping ourselves sufficiently fed, watered and rest that we stay alive, I think that the vast majority of people accept the bare minimum. We look solely at our productivity or output as the measure for whether we are fuelling ourselves enough. If we function at work or school, then we must be doing enough. In a capitalist society, with productivity and efficiency as the ultimate goal, we forget that there is another metric for human beings: our daily enjoyment of life, and our mental health and wellbeing.

Many of us have spent so long in this depleted, survival state where we value output only, that we may not even realise that there is another way to live our lives. Or we may accept that the state of being ‘truly rested’ is one that can only be achieved on holiday, or after a once-a-year trip to the spa. But achieving a state of mental calm is like achieving a state of physical fitness - it is something that must be practiced, and like a muscle, it can be built upon steadily.

Of course, some people will find it situationally harder to find pockets of calm. And it’s important that we don’t add ‘resting more’ to the list of things we feel guilty about not doing. Those with young children or other caring responsibilities, or those with intense jobs - are often sacrificing their own calm for an important cause. A healthy society should rally around these people and support them wherever possible to still be able to find restorative rest and pockets of peace.

However, wherever possible, when we build our ability to more easily find this state of calm, it can help us to enjoy our lives more. It becomes easier to take in the everyday moments of joy and truly appreciate them (not just to snap a picture of them on instagram - #blessed). It becomes easier to hear the birdsong and realise that our connection to nature is the intended state of our being. In this state, we know instinctively when we need to prioritise our own state of calmness above all the other apparently urgent goings on in our life, that can almost definitely wait.

When we lean more often into this feeling of calm contentment, it becomes easier to centre ourselves each time we try. It takes time, but when we can prioritise our own rest, we able to think in clearer, more creative ways. We place the highest value on virtues such as kindness and reciprocity. Which builds the foundation to not only heal ourselves, but also those around us - as well as the planet.

So, next time you recharge your phone, ask yourself - is there anything I could do right now to recharge myself? Perhaps you could look at this wonderful resource from Nicola Hobbs (illustrated and reproduced with permission) - outlining the different types of rest that we need to be happy, healthy humans, and pick one of these instead of scrolling your phone, to give yourself a little boost too.