What do you think of when you see that word? Envy? Vague nostalgia? Familiar comfort? When did you last feel truly rested, and woke up feeling recharged, content, and ready to enjoy the day? If you're having trouble remembering, then read on.
Rest is more than just going to bed at a good hour. When it comes to starting your day truly rested, three areas come to mind ... resting your body through sleep, resting your soul (heart) through contentment, and resting your spirit (mind) through relaxation. How well do you take care of yourself in these three areas?
First of all, where does sleep fall on your priority list? Is resting your body last and least? Do you collapse into bed at night exhausted, feeling badly that you didn't cross everything off of your list for the day? Do you wake up feeling like you need several more hours to feel recharged? Many of us (myself included) feel that we need more sleep, need to go to bed earlier, and wish we didn't have so much crammed into each day. If sleep falls at the very bottom of your list, you likely won't ever feel rested. Simply deciding to go to bed earlier won't happen either, unless you change a few other things. I discovered this month that it was a great idea (and joy!) to cross things off of my somewhat insane to-do list, without doing them! I chose to put it there, I can choose to take it off. How simple is that?
Speaking of simple, ever hear the proverb "Don't let the sun go down on your wrath"? I find it to be very true in my own life ... sleep just isn't worth the time you spend on it if you go to bed angry or frustrated. Phyllis Diller puts a twist on it saying "Don't go to bed angry. Stay up and fight!" That takes us to the second point ... resting your soul. How often do you set aside time to pray, meditate, or simply feed your heart? It's not so much about how much time you spend on it, but how well you maintain a sense of contentment and peace with your life and your choices. Are you always needing something else to change before your heart can rest, or are you happy where you are? We may imagine that it takes a monastic life or misty mountain sunrises or an abundant bank account to achieve true peace, but we choose to be content (or not) every moment of every day. What are you choosing?
The last piece of feeling rested is relaxing your spirit. Do you defer all relaxation to an annual vacation? The occasional weekend? Resting your mind is a daily need, just as much as food, water, and sleep. What if you slept as often as you took vacations? Resting your mental batteries (read: turn them off) should happen often, even if it's only a few minutes at a time. My digital camera has the amusing habit of shutting down and saying "replace battery pack" while gasping out a last shrill beep. Turn it on two minutes later and voila, it takes another half dozen shots! Rest means ceasing from all conscious activity. Obviously ceasing ALL mental activity would leave you dead, but you get my drift. Pause. Stop moving. Working. Thinking. Clear out your thoughts and tasks and lists and just let go ... zone out if you will ... and enjoy the silence. Find that a challenge? I'll admit that I do. Even sitting still and doing nothing for ten minutes can be very difficult, my coaching clients often balk at the idea! Start the easy way and just find an activity that totally relaxes you and requires no effort ... listen to music, watch TV, read a book ... whatever genuinely disconnects you from any responsibility or work and frees you from conscious thought. You need that downtime, and failing to take it only builds up tiredness and stress.
If you find yourself regularly cutting your sleep short, staying wound up all day, and popping the Tylenol to get rid of those perpetual tension headaches, then you're not taking care of yourself ... body, soul, or spirit. You need rest to function properly, and it's NOT a luxury, it's a necessity.
Bethany Rule is an experienced personal and professional life coach, championing human development, encouraging change, and helping you break your own rules. Based in NYC, she works with clients all over the world. Please visit http://www.bethanyrule.com to sign up for your FREE Trial Session, FREE monthly newsletter, or to learn more about coaching with Bethany.
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYSExperts in the stress management field have... Read More
In a hectic world, it's all too easy to reach... Read More
These days, when people have become so conscious about what... Read More
David Bowie once sang, "Ch-ch-changes, tryin' to face the strain."And... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
What good is Personal or Business Success...if your Health is... Read More
All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More
We function at our best when we are free from... Read More
It's summertime and chances are you can remember a summer... Read More
Every day we are faced with a situation where our... Read More
The brain uses feel-good transmitters called endorphins when managing daily... Read More
With almost 50% of workers complaining that their jobs are... Read More
Recently I completed some new workshop engagements in addition to... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
To combat modern day stressors, you need to realize that... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
We wonder how many of you might recognise this scenario?... Read More
Let's face it! The majority of our time is either... Read More
It was one of the first words you learned to... Read More
Why do we resist change? As the saying goes, the... Read More
What part of no don't you understand? - Bumper stickerThe... Read More
For those of you who have been living in a... Read More
When was the last time you took a day just... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Do you get out of your car with a queasy... Read More
A little stress is good for us until it becomes... Read More
"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More
An excellent stress reducer can be something as simple as... Read More
Do you ever feel stressed? Is stress a regular component... Read More
When it is all said and done, do you feel... Read More
Perhaps you've heard of the 80/20 rule, but don't know... Read More
Workplace stress is on the rise and it's costing corporate... Read More
In these times when companies are constantly down-sizing and right-sizing... Read More
For those who are suffering from stress, just about the... Read More
Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More
All stress comes from believing a thought that argues with... Read More
In his book, The 22 Non-Negotiable Laws of Wellness, author... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
Do you feel stress at work? Do you carry your... Read More
Do you have stress in your life?......I know you answered... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
"Smash!" It was a sunny autumn Saturday. My cousins and... Read More
Shit happens. I know this to be a fact, because... Read More
Why do we resist change? As the saying goes, the... Read More
"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More
Q. So many times in my life, I seem to... Read More
Most people know of the importance of exercise as a... Read More
If you find symptoms of anxiety disorder in any of... Read More
Voice: Bill!Bill: I thought I heard a voice.Voice: Bill! This... Read More
Stress Management |