Rest: The Pursuit of Scheduling You

Do you make time for rest? I thought I did until I started penciling myself into my own calendar! Many of us live for the weekend believing that we’ll wake up and have time for self-care and rest. For many years, I found myself waking up on Saturdays and launching myself into chores that didn’t get done during the week. I would carve out some time on Sundays for yoga and then would move right back into ‘doing’ mode. I had to remind myself that I’m a human being not a human doing. For the last fifteen months, I have taken time for myself and have thoroughly enjoyed rest, fun, and letting go.

The Question

Do you schedule rest time for yourself? Many feel they aren’t really in ‘rest’ mode until they go on vacation where the environment and schedule changes. It doesn’t have to be like that. We can obtain this same feeling simply being at home.

What Is Rest?

Some may describe it as not working, reading, watching television, sleeping in, not cooking, and so on. Yes, these are nice, but are they simply a short reboot? Let’s look at ways you can schedule in rest and play. Taking this time has certainly made a difference in my emotional well-being and has offered me a different perspective on life.

Finding Rest

1. Social - Do you purposefully surround yourself with people who match your energy, who see and hear you fully, who challenge you in a good way and help you learn about life?
2. Physical – Taking a mindful walk outside or practicing yoga and/or meditation can help you move your body and be present.
3. Passive Rest – Practicing deep breath work and quality sleep can help us reset and reduce stress.
4. Mental – Even while you work, you can take 2-5 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon to pause and take deep breaths. You see there’s a theme with breathing?!
5. Sensory – We are often overloaded with artificial things such as unnatural light, phone screen, computer screens, noise, meetings, and so on. Take a digital and sensory reboot is a must in today’s society. Consider no screen time during weeknights or at least 90 minutes before bedtime. Take a mindful shower in dim lighting and notice the warmth of the water on your skin.
6. Creativity – Are you creative? Were you creative as a child? Many of us think we’ve lost that as we’ve gotten older. If you play music or want to learn, give it a try. If you like to draw, do it or perhaps write some short stories. Take up a new hobby and be present with it.
7. Emotional – How often do you ask yourself how you’re feeling? Give yourself a few minutes a day to check in with your breath to see the pace and depth. Check in with your body to see if you’re holding onto tension. Notice your thoughts? Are they kind to you?

Be Intentional

Use the seven tips and proactively sprinkle into your week. Being intentional with your rest practice is key to truly living and being present. It does require work and commitment. If you notice that you are moving back into old habits, pause and remind yourself that you are important and rest is an essential part of life. I can genuinely say that making time for me has made all the difference and it shows up in all aspects of my life.