Switch off in the right ways

If your work requires a lot of cognitive effort or you often find yourself mentally exhausted at the end of the day, Arthur suggests that the best way to offer yourself true rest is to partake in a more mindless activity – one that you can do almost on autopilot. This means swapping puzzles, reading or your daily Wordle for something lower stakes, like colouring, knitting or even singing. “You need to give your brain time to switch off, but that doesn’t mean you have to just sit and stare into space,” she says. “Think about the kind of energy you’re using most often and pick an activity that pours from an opposite cup.”

This is the time to avoid habit-stacking and take things back to basics. Simplify a walk by leaving your headphones at home. Take 15 minutes to sketch something with pen and paper without worrying about how good it might turn out. Get creative, but don’t overcomplicate things.

Reconnect with your body

When our bodies are physically exhausted, we can start to get frustrated and wonder why we can’t keep going and push just that little bit more. To combat the negative feelings and ensure that you get the rest you need, Arthur suggests counteracting them by finding ways to engage with your body positively.

“Take a long hot bath with plenty of lovely-smelling essential oils or take the time to moisturise and care for your skin,” she says. “These things really do contribute to lowering your stress levels, whether it’s to do with warmth, touch or just taking an hour where you’re not engaging with anyone else and focusing solely on yourself.”

Feeling exhausted? Take these 3 expert-backed steps to make space for rest