7 Ways to Rest and Recharge Based on Your MDNA

Resting, whether it is taking a vacation or a mental health day, is an important skill if you want to achieve long-term success and fulfillment. The key to rest, however, is how you rest based upon your intrinsic motivations. Your motivational DNA reveals how certain types of rest recharge you most. Here is how to use your MDNA gifts to give yourself the gift of rest.

UCD

Go somewhere with wide-open spaces and very few (if any) people. The UCD wants to sit, think, and reflect—not build relationships. It also helps if there is a purpose to the excursion or location. Try to incorporate a personal project, discovery, or conceptualization.

SSA

As an SSA, do something where you can help others for a short-term period. Volunteer somewhere or go on a work-project trip—anything that meets people’s fundamental needs. But most importantly, after you’ve served, take a moment to celebrate the accomplishment. Avoid the temptation to continue to serve. Instead, rest from your service.

KWR

Go somewhere or do something you’ve never seen or done before. Before that, take time to thoroughly research everything—every detail, logistic, and historical fact. In other words, as a KWR, incorporate as much learning into your rest as possible. It also helps is what you’re learning has nothing to do with work, but rather something else of high interest.

EIA

Go somewhere where there’s a constant party with a diversity of people and a variety of activities. Avoid anything that requires responsibility. It’s time to cut loose EIA! And the larger than life your experience is—so you can tell everybody about it after—the better.

CVS

The CVS has two options. Option A) Go somewhere spontaneous. For example, get in the car and see where it takes you. Don’t make plans. Be flexible. Go or stay as long as you want to. If someone comes with you, they must agree to the same rules or else you’ll be frustrated, and it won’t be restful at all.

Option B) Go somewhere and do something that will generate an ROI for your time. In other words, what you do has to represent value. For example, visit a new city but attend a conference related to work at the same time. Or head to a retreat center but offer to teach a workshop while you’re there.

DLF

The DLF can do anything to rest just as long as they are the ones organizing it with others. Family reunions, camping, tours and sporting competitions all qualify. As strange as it sounds, the DLF loves thriving under the pressure of administrating the rest for themselves and others. The DLF loves seeing a plan come together that gives others the freedom to rest. This approach recharges the DLF.

IAF

Go somewhere or do something to simply relax and just “be.” Use your IAF intuition to do what fulfills you. It might be a favorite food, environment or entertainment. Don’t do it alone, though. Have someone close to you join that can be just as happy to be there as you are. But avoid doing things or being with people where you’ll be distracted by the strong opinions and desires of others. You’ll sacrifice your much-needed rest to make them happy. Make sure everybody has something to do and can have their needs met.

When Should You Rest?

Every MDNA requires different frequencies of rest for recharge. What’s difficult is that we’re often unaware of personal burnout. Self-awareness is key, however. As a rule of thumb, it is important to rest after there’s been a buildup of emotional intensity. For example, after you’ve met an important deadline for a major project. Or, if there’s been a life crisis that takes a period to resolve. Some of us even need rest after a family holiday season (depending upon the family, of course). Monitor your emotions and how self-regulated you are. If you find yourself more reactive than proactive, then chances are it’s time to consider giving yourself the gift of rest.