The Importance of Rest

Note from a fellow bariatric patient…

Did you know that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and weight issues often go hand in hand?¹

I have ADHD, and unfortunately, I struggle with relaxing. My mind and body are restless, and I always need to be doing something.

Through my weight loss journey, I’ve learned that constant motion and a racing brain don’t serve me well. When I have difficulty focusing, I lose sight of my goals and my plan for how to achieve them.

Over time, and through listening to experts, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of rest and balancing regular activity to achieve a good quality of life.

Here’s why rest is important to me:

1. Physical health: After my surgery eight years ago, I needed to start walking again. However, since I had not been exercising, I did too much too quickly. As a result, my muscles did not have time to recover, and I injured my foot. I learned that while activity is necessary, resting between workouts is vital.
2. Stress reduction: Rest helps reduce my stress and anxiety levels, which often lead to emotional eating and poor food choices. Good sleep also improves mood and mental well-being, making it less likely that I’ll turn to food for comfort (which I’ve been known to do). Never a good idea.
3. Blood sugar control: Rest can also support insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for a healthy metabolism. This is especially important for me, as I was once a type II diabetic.
4. Good eating habits: Lack of rest often results in poor food choices, especially when I’m tired and seeking quick energy. On the other hand, adequate sleep helps curb my cravings for high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods.
5. Mental health: Losing weight was both a mental and physical experience for me. To maintain my weight loss, I had to understand how I became 150 pounds overweight in the first place. What does this have to do with rest? To think deeply and explore complex emotions, you need to be still and have a clear mind.

So how do you relax? For me, it’s a regular exercise with breaks to read a book, watch my favorite show, or soak in a warm spa.

Will you take time for yourself to exercise AND rest today? I hope so.

—Your bariatric friend

Reference

1. Ptacek R et al. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:571–579.