One of the most important and often overlooked of the 5 Factors is rest.  Rest can take different forms and are all valuable in their own right.  All types of true rest and relaxation help activate the parasympathetic nervous system which is where the healing capacities are stored. For this reason the words ‘Relaxing’ and ‘Healing’ are essentially synonyms. 

Sleep is especially restorative of the nervous system. The brain is an electricity generating and transmitting organ that uses about 12 times the energy of the physical muscles.  Only sleep restores this electrical energy.

Sleep deprivation is a plague of modern society which results from many reasons including work hours, commuting, family demands, and financial stress and anxiety. Sleep deprivation creates a stressful environment in the body and is similar to drinking alcohol in its effect to debilitate and affect all dimensions of a persons functioning. So instead of drugging ourselves to stay awake with Caffeine and drugging ourselves to go to sleep with sleeping pills, it is best to get enough rest both at night and if possible during the work day.