Before You Burn Out, Take This 7-Question Audit

THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: REST AND RELAXATION

The Rest Audit: 7 Questions to Reclaim Your Energy This Month

Most school leaders aren’t just tired, they’re under-rested in ways they haven’t even named.

You can get a full night’s sleep and still feel drained.

That’s because there’s more than one kind of rest and most of us are missing more than one.

The good news?

Once you name the gap, you can do something about it.

The 7 Types of Rest School Leaders Need

According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, there are seven types of rest we all need.

Each replenishes a different part of our lives:

• Physical – Sleep, naps, and downtime for your body (yes, that includes sitting down for lunch).

• Mental – Turning off the never-ending internal to-do list.

• Emotional – Not having to hold it all together for everyone else.

• Social – Time with people who restore you, not deplete you.

• Sensory – Relief from noise, screens, clutter, and constant input.

• Creative – Reconnecting with wonder, beauty, imagination, and play.

• Spiritual – Feeling connected to purpose, meaning, or something bigger than yourself.

When even one is missing, your energy takes a hit, and it often spreads to other areas, too.

The Rest Audit: 7 Questions for Clarity

You're not lazy. You're depleted in ways your calendar doesn't show.

This week, try answering one question and taking one action each day.

Day 1 - Physical Rest: "When did I last feel physically rested?" Take a 10-minute phone-free walk or eat lunch away from your desk

Day 2 - Mental Rest: "Where is my mind still 'on' after work?" Do a 5-minute brain dump or try a meditation app

Day 3 - Emotional Rest: "Who am I constantly managing emotionally?" Have one authentic conversation or set a boundary

Day 4 - Social Rest: "Which relationships replenish vs. drain me?" Text someone who makes you feel good or decline one draining obligation

Day 5 - Sensory Rest: "How much input am I absorbing without pause?" Turn off notifications for an hour or sit in silence for 5 minutes

Day 6 - Creative Rest: "When did I last experience beauty or awe?" Look at art or spend time noticing nature details

Day 7 - Spiritual Rest: "Where do I feel most grounded in purpose?" Spend 10 minutes in reflection or do one act of service

Better Leaders Rest with Intention

For Ruckus Makers, rest isn’t a reward.

It’s a requirement.

It helps you lead wisely, live fully, and stay aligned with what matters most.

You don’t need to fix everything at once.

Start by noticing.

Awareness is a powerful first step.

If you’re ready to show up more rested, more focused, and more human, the Ruckus Maker Mastermind is here for you.

We make space for reflection, growth, and sustainable leadership.

Because you can’t make a ruckus when you’re running on empty.