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On the final episode in the series about the seven types of rest, Paula discusses the intricacies of social rest. She emphasizes that social rest is often overlooked but crucial for mental and emotional well-being and highlights the need to be intentional about social connections, focusing on those who uplift and support us, and avoiding those who drain our energy. Paula stresses the importance of setting boundaries, practicing self-reflection, and prioritizing positive social interactions as well as addresses common challenges like fear of isolation and the difficulty of saying no, suggesting various strategies to incorporate social rest into daily life.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ reflections on rest
+ importance of social connection
+ balancing social engagement and rest
+ practical strategies for social rest
+ overcoming barriers

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In the next episode on the series exploring the different types of rest, Paula digs into the concept of spiritual rest. She reflects on her experience at Retreat, Remix, Revive highlighting the challenges of balancing roles as a facilitator and participant and the ways it connects to this form of rest. Paula explains that spiritual rest involves deep tranquility and connection to something larger than oneself, not necessarily tied to religion. She suggests practices achieve spiritual rest and similarities in the reasons we often do not talk about this form of rest in particular.


In this episode, you will hear:
+ spiritual rest and Retreat, Remix, Revive
+ understanding spiritual rest
+ connection and community
+ challenges and benefits
+ personal responsibility and unlearning
+ community involvement and gratitude

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Paula discusses the importance of emotional rest as the next part of the series on rest. She highlighting its role in maintaining overall well-being and mental health as well as explains what emotional rest actually involves. Paula emphasizes emotional rest and the ways complements other types of rest, such as physical and mental, and the ways that it is often overlooked. She provides practical strategies to help prioritize emotional rest and addresses societal pressures and misconceptions that hinder the prioritization of mental rest.

In this episode, you will hear:

+ defining emotional rest
+ importance of this type of rest
+ challenges and misconceptions
+ practical tips and strategies to improve

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Paula examines the importance of creative rest, in the fourth of the rest series. She highlights the challenges of maintaining creativity in a fast-paced world, noting that many people struggle with finding joy and inspiration. Creative rest is crucial for avoiding burnout, enhancing problem-solving skills, and fostering flexible thinking. Paula emphasizes that creativity requires nurturing and rest, contrary to the common misconception that it comes naturally. She also addresses societal and economic pressures that hinder rest, advocating for small, intentional shifts to improve overall well-being and creativity.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ understanding creative rest
+ cultural and societal norms around rest
+ challenges of practicing creative rest
+ practical strategies for increasing creative rest

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Paula discusses the importance of sensory rest, in the third of seven essential types of rest that will be explored in this series. Emphasis is placed on disengaging from screens and devices to reduce constant stimulation. She highlights the challenges of maintaining sensory rest in a tech-dependent society, noting the impact on mental health and stress management. Practical tips include limiting screen time, practicing silence, and creating calming environments. She also suggests using sensory tools to support with management and stresses the importance of self-reflection as well as communication with loved ones to support sensory needs and overall well-being.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ understanding sensory rest
+ importance of sensory rest for health and focus
+ challenges of tech usage and sensory rest
+ practical tips for sensory rest
+ self reflection and communication

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Paula explores the importance of mental rest, the second of seven essential types that will be explored in this series. She explains the ways mental rest involves a break from constant mental stimulation, which is crucial for brain function and overall well-being. Paula highlights the challenges of achieving mental rest in a digitally-driven, fast-paced society, noting that cultural and personal responsibilities often hinder it. She poses suggestions of practices to utilize that can benefit our ability to increase mental rest as well as explores reasons that it isn’t talked about as well as reasons that we may not even allow ourselves to participate in increasing mental rest.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ challenges of mental rest in modern society
+ impact of digital stimulation
+ barriers to mental rest
+ stigma and cultural norms
+ importance and practical tips for increasing mental rest

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Paula discusses the importance of rest, emphasizing that it involves more than just sleep. She highlights seven types of rest that will be explored in this series, starting with physical rest, which includes sleep and gentle movement. She stresses the need for consistent rest to avoid burnout and improve overall health, including brain function and muscle recovery. She shares personal anecdotes and strategies to enhance physical rest and encourages listeners to prioritize rest and persistently work towards incorporating healthy rest practices into their daily routines.

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Julie returns to share highlights her and her twin sister’s adoption search in her new book, “Twice the Family” which covers their upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family. She highlights the unique bond twins share, challenges associated with a disabled sibling and the impact of infertility on her family. Julie emphasizes the importance of writing for personal healing, their own catharsis and understanding.

Guest Bio:

Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes about finding out who you are, where you belong and making sense of it. She is the author of two published works: Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging (She Writes Press, 2021), and Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship (Muse Literary, 2023). Her third book, Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood releases in February 2025.

Contact/Socials:
Facebook: juliemcguewrites
Instagram: julieryanmcgue
LinkedIn: Julie McGue
Goodreads: julieryanmcgue
X: juliermcgue

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