Your relationships take a toll when you are stressed.
Practical tips to getting the rest you need.
Last week I spoke about how underrated rest was and the difference between needing to rest and just being lazy / procrastination. This week I want to focus on how we can incorporate rest into our lives. Most of us have a bit of a mindset block with rest - feeling that it’s unproductive and therefore not worth it. However, rest is such a wonderful sign of high self-worth - believing you are worthy enough to get the rest your body & mind need.
Research conducted by the University of Hertfordshire in 2017 showed that taking a power nap in the day could be the secret to happiness. Psychologist Prof Richard Wiseman said:
"Previous research has shown naps of under 30 minutes make you more focused, productive & creative. These new findings suggest you can also become happier by just taking a short nap."
The truth is, none of us can show up as our best selves if we are exhausted and feeling depleted. So many of us are running on empty most of the time that this has just become a way of life and a necessity. We are making decisions when we are not our best selves. We are showing up to our relationships with stress and anxiety. We are moving through our day without being fully conscious - we are on auto-pilot.
It definitely was for me 7 years ago when I was totally burnt out.
Let’s first look at what rest is not…
Rest is not lying in bed working on your laptop.
Rest is not an energetic yoga class.
Rest is not being on your phone whilst watching TV.
The dictionary defines rest as:
a bodily state characterised by minimal functional and metabolic activities.
a state of motionlessness or inactivity.
peace of mind or spirit.
Secondly let’s look at the benefits of rest:
Relieves stress and anxiety both physically and mentally. Rest will help relieve the stress response cycle - it’s important to realise that just because an external stressor (grumpy boss at work / payment deadline / unexpected traffic jam…) goes away, the stress stays in the body until you complete the stress response cycle. Click here for a really great podcast on this.
It’s incredibly powerful for our relationships. The biggest killer of relationships = stress. Showing up as our better, more patient, more loving, more forgiving, more compassionate selves… requires rest.
This podcast with Jillian Turecki talks about the role of stress in our relationships and how stress can damage relationships without even realising it.
Rest raises our sense of self-worth. It’s literally like a deposit in the bank of self-worth. Click here to read more on the benefits of self-worth.
Rest strengthens the immune system.
Rest brings more clarity and focus. It allows us to be less distracted, less multitasking all the time!
Rest is like a washing machine for the emotions - when we rest we allow our brains to process emotions.
“Rest is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Take the time off to replenish your energy and recharge your soul. In the midst of life's chaos, find solace in the stillness of rest that is where true rejuvenation resides.”
― Dr. Lucas D. Shallua
Tips for rest
➡️ yin / restorative yoga.
➡️ schedule in time to worry! Mental fatigue from overthinking and worrying can have a big impact - schedule a time in your day to sit down & write out your worries. This stops you from obsessing over things.
➡️ Meditation. Click here to book a free intro talk with my meditation teachers.
➡️ Making sure you get short breaks in your day. Every two hours make sure you go for a walk / take a moment away from your desk / the tasks you are doing.
➡️ Work smarter not harder - break down your working day into 90 min chunks as this is optimum for the brain to focus. Start with 40 mins, take a 10 min break to do something for yourself (cup of tea, walk, meditate, something nourishing!) then another 40 minutes. This will give you more time in your day.
➡️ Don’t look at your phone first thing in the morning / last thing at night.
➡️ Give yourself a break - stop beating yourself up for not getting things perfect, for making mistakes, for getting things wrong, for saying the wrong thing… compassion is a beautiful way to allow yourself to expand.
Pyjama Yoga Flow
As a little gift to you, click below for a free yoga class - this is a short 15 min restorative flow that will help the body rest!
Next Week!
I will be talking about Spring, New Beginnings and giving you some journaling questions and ideas.