What do people mean when they say “rest up”?

Posted by IkeaGrapefruit@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 34 comments

I have been ill with a sore throat and a bunch of other symptoms going on 9 days now (side note, anyone else experiencing this??). My colleagues doctor friends etc keep telling me to “rest up” to recover. The thing is, I have been WFH since last Monday and have barely left the house.

What do people in the UK really mean when they say “rest up”? Do I need to take time off work? Actually stay in bed? Or does working from home and taking lots of naps count? Is gentle exercise still okay?

I’m curious as to what other people in the UK get up to when they are ill or burnt out and need to “rest up”.

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Lazy_Cat1997@reddit

Are you really this dense? It means rest

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Puzzled-Job9556@reddit

When I need to "rest up" I rest. Not really sure how else it can be explained.

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Dissidant@reddit

Means to just not over exert yourself.
Maybe go to bed a bit earlier than usual, even if you can't neccesarily go to sleep right away i.e. bung some chill music on

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IkeaGrapefruit@reddit (OP)

Thank you so much for the helpful advice!

Can’t believe I am still stuck inside after almost a week! Think I am going stir crazy…

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pixeltash@reddit

Please do rest and don't push yourself. back to work.

32 years ago I had a lurgy, thought I'd push through it. Was in a wheelchair within a couple of months and haven't been able to work since. Diagnosed ME, I do think if you don't listen to your body and rest when you need to your body has ways of making you rest.

And yea it's bloody boring, but rest now, recover and then life can be fun.

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Voodoopulse@reddit

Sit with your feet up, catch up on tele

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BabyAlibi@reddit

Columbo and a lemsip

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mdmnl@reddit

Midsomer and a Mogadon

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National-Vegetable92@reddit

Id like to know what this means too. Because bosses over the years have said this too me, yet they expect their work done ?

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IkeaGrapefruit@reddit (OP)

I think you have identified the real reason for my question haha...

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National-Vegetable92@reddit

Perhaps we should ask them to be more specific. What exactly do they mean by it. Do we stop working? Or put our feet up underneath the desk on a foot rest 😂

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EverybodySayin@reddit

Relaxing, non-active activities.

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Severe_Mastodon8072@reddit

Stay home, get lots of sleep, eat well and stay hydrated, watch some tv.

It is normal to take time off work when ill if you can.

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Automatic-Base2301@reddit

Is the state of education and common sense now so bad in the Uk that people have to ask what being asked to rest when sick means ? Jesus wept

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IkeaGrapefruit@reddit (OP)

I’m actually not from this country so I am trying to understand the cultural nuance of the term. Sorry if this wasn’t clear in the question and thanks for your comment anyways :)

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Automatic-Base2301@reddit

There is no cultural nuance. What do people in your own country do when sick? They rest.

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Rest up just means take it easy. It is a just a banal platitude to show they heard that you are feeling unwell, care about you, wish you well and don't have expectations of you.

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IkeaGrapefruit@reddit (OP)

Okay this is the answer I was looking for I think!!! So when my boss says “rest up” - he just means take it chill and he’s expecting me to be less on top of things for the next few days?

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Pretty much. Do what you can and catch up later

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sihasihasi@reddit

Uhhh ... rest.

Do things which you find relaxing, and get enough sleep.

How is this hard to understand?

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Sea-Still5427@reddit

There's a summer bug going round.

Rest means don't do anything that's not essential so that your body can repair and recharge. If you exercise or get stressed, your body obediently channels more blood and nutrients to your muscles and away from everything else. Sounds like you need to dial work down to minimum effort.

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LilacScentedStoat@reddit

Rest up

Go to bed, sleep, drink water and orange lukozade.

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IkeaGrapefruit@reddit (OP)

Lukozade!! That is a brilliant idea

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Embarrassed-Dig-8180@reddit

Rest up just means rest for a day or two. Dont over exert yourself. Have a duvet and Netflix day, whatever you need to do to rest your body so that you can heal. Stress and over exertion extend any kind of healing, be that illness or pain. Sometimes the best thing to beat an illness like flu symtoms is to just take medicine, and have a day of relaxing in bed.

I get some peopel cant do that due to impulse or responsibilities, but resting the body as much as possible goes a long way towards fighting a lot of illnesses.

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velos85@reddit

What else can it possible mean apart from rest?

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DutchOfBurdock@reddit

Take it easy, but your feet up, Netflix and chill, go for a walk, have a BBQ with friends. Anything to take your mind off illness

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flangeflangeflanges@reddit

It means rest.

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Jolly-Avocado0@reddit

I just take it as resting. So don't do things you don't need to. Take time off work if needed, nap, watch TV, don't bother with housework (unless essential), stay home, maybe go for a gentle walk for some fresh air, take any meds needed.

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Dennyisthepisslord@reddit

You know in snooker the long like you rest the cue on? Make sure your one is pointing up.

Isn't it obvious?

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Sometimes I wonder if people here were explicitly taught in school not to use common sense or critical thinking...

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