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WPS Health Solutions: Rest is not a suggestion, it is necessary for good mental health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5724
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Rest is not a suggestion, it is necessary for good mental health

MADISON, Wis.—May 4, 2022—The fast pace of American culture is focused on being productive and driven—and always busy. It’s a common refrain when someone is asked how they are doing or what is new: “I’ve been busy.” This frantic pace impacts mental health and well-being.

When the COVID-19 pandemic made the world come to a halt, many people were forced to slow down and discovered that rest was missing from their hectic lives; perhaps experiencing rest for the first time in a long time—although there is a notable difference between rest and isolation. Rest is not a suggestion; it is a necessity. It isn’t an escape or laziness; it is needed for living.

According to Dr. Ken Robbins, Medical Director of Behavioral Health for WPS Health Solutions, rest provides many health benefits, such as reducing stress, lowering the risk of heart disease, restoring mental energy, and better-quality sleep. It improves a person’s mood, immune system, and metabolism.

“Resting is more than napping or watching a show. Resting with intention means disconnecting from our devices completely, reading literature, not in the pursuit of productivity but the pursuit of rest and enjoyment. Spending time with a garden, connecting to nature, working on a puzzle, or creating space to play,” Dr. Robbins says. “All these things and more will benefit our physical well-being and improve overall mental health.”

The world is opening back up, people are returning to their offices, sports are in full swing, and people’s lives are quickly returning to “normal.” Perhaps people should evaluate if returning to the old standard of “I’m busy” is the best thing and look at how to prioritize rest for rejuvenated, recharged, and more connected lives.

About WPS Health Solutions® 

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.