The REST & RISE™ Model: A Blueprint for Sustainable Wellbeing
The concept of wellbeing has moved from a ‘nice to have’ to a central pillar of both personal and organisational success. However, many initiatives designed to boost wellbeing fall short, often seen as fleeting trends rather than deeply embedded practices. The REST & RISE™ model offers a robust framework to counteract this, providing a pathway to not only initiate change but, crucially, to sustain it.
A Whole Organisational Approach
At its heart, the REST & RISE™ model is an integrative approach. It emphasises the importance of a holistic strategy, incorporating support from all levels of an organisation, from the board to individual team members. This ensures that wellbeing is not a siloed activity but is woven into the very fabric of the organisation.
The model derives its name from two core concepts: REST and RISE.
The Imperative of REST
The first part of the model, REST, is an acronym that encapsulates the key principles for motivating individuals to embrace and maintain new wellbeing habits. It stands for:
Relatable: For any wellbeing initiative to gain traction, it must resonate with the individual on a personal level. This means connecting the activity to something that genuinely matters to them – be it enhanced concentration, improved stress management, or alignment with personal values.
Enjoyable: The role of positive emotions in fostering commitment cannot be overstated. When an activity is associated with feelings such as amusement, serenity, or gratitude, the likelihood of sustained engagement increases significantly. This element encourages the deliberate cultivation of positive emotions, rather than relying solely on willpower.
Sociable: While autonomy is a key driver of intrinsic motivation, incorporating a social element can significantly boost adherence. Whether it's participating in group classes, connecting through apps, or simply having an accountability partner, the sense of camaraderie and shared purpose fosters commitment.
Trackable: The ability to monitor progress is fundamental to building a sense of competence, a core component of intrinsic motivation. Seeing tangible improvements, however small, reinforces the value of the activity and fuels the desire to continue. This tracking can take many forms, from dedicated apps to simple notes in a journal.
The REST principles are not merely a checklist; they represent a dynamic process. The crucial question to ask is not if an activity is relatable, enjoyable, sociable, and trackable, but how it can be made so.
The Rewards of RISE
The second part of the model, RISE, outlines the positive organisational outcomes that emerge when wellbeing is prioritised and the REST principles are applied effectively. These outcomes are:
Resilience: Often defined as the ability to 'bounce back' from adversity, resilience, from a psychological standpoint, involves employing specific thoughts and behaviours to navigate challenging life events and maintain equilibrium.
Innovation: In an organisational context, the capacity for creativity and innovative problem-solving is highly valued. Positive emotions have been shown to broaden attention and expand thinking, fostering a more conducive environment for innovative ideas to flourish.
Success: While the metrics for success vary across organisations and roles, the importance of achievement and goal attainment is universal. The sense of satisfaction derived from achieving goals is a key component of personal wellbeing, and wellbeing initiatives can provide valuable tools to support performance in the workplace.
Engagement: Employee engagement is a frequently measured metric, though its definition can vary. From a psychological perspective, engagement refers to a state of complete absorption in an activity, often described as 'flow', where peak performance is achieved.
Putting it All Together
The REST & RISE™ model posits that when wellbeing interventions are relatable, enjoyable, sociable, and trackable, they pave the way for increased resilience, innovation, success, and engagement. This, in turn, fosters a positive cycle, where thriving individuals contribute to a thriving organisation.
It is important to acknowledge that achieving this transformation is a process, not an overnight event. It requires a sustained commitment to learning and the integration of positive psychological tools.
The REST & RISE™ model provides a practical and theoretically grounded framework for organisations seeking to cultivate a culture of sustainable wellbeing. By focusing on the how of implementation, it moves beyond superficial gestures and creates a pathway for genuine, lasting change.
The Wellbeing Ambassador Programme is guided by the REST & RISE™ Model to create a sustainable approach to wellbeing at work. To learn more about how to integrate this approach in your organisation, get in touch to train your people as Wellbeing Ambassadors.
Reference
Martin, C. (2024). Wellbeing Ambassadors: How to help your people be more resilient, innovative, successful and engaged at work. Goldcrest Publishing. Access at: https://amzn.eu/d/68pCoxf