How good are you at resting? Have you ever asked yourself that question? It never ceases to amaze me how many people take annual leave and then get poorly. Or forget to take a break and end up exhausted and feeling burnt out. I wonder if we intentionally worked at resting better, how much of a difference that might make. As a business owner, I have to remember to plan time off, as I do not have a line manager reminding me about booking leave and utilising my leave allowance!
Earlier this month I took a spontaneous day trip to the south coast, and it felt like I was on holiday. It
was a packed day of sightseeing and coastal walks, but in spite of that I still felt very rested. I had a think about why only one day away made such a difference, and here are my reflections on how we can ‘rest’ better.
Recharged. For a rest to be restful, there has to be the opportunity to feel recharged in a meaningful way. Sometimes doing nothing at home isn’t restful, as we can be reminded of those long overdue household chores. Everywhere we look there is something that needs our attention. Or maybe being alone with your thoughts for too long is not restful. So consider what for you, in this season of life, recharges you! Is it walking, gardening, time with loved ones, reading or travelling. For me, a complete change of environment helped me to feel rested and recharged, although I was still engaged in activities.
Emptied. Such an interesting word, but to get rid of that which is unnecessary and unhelpful is important when it comes to rest. In the same way, if you’ve ever eaten too much because your eyes were bigger than your belly, it is extremely uncomfortable, so too can it be with what’s on your mind. You have numerous responsibilities and quite frankly it can feel a lot, and in preparation for resting well, it is helpful to find a way to ‘park’ and empty out as necessary. Whether that is mentally or emotionally, to get rid of certain things is important. I had a friend at university, who regularly would scream into a pillow to release frustration. At the time I did not understand, but vocalising is a helpful way to get rid of the mental load, even without words is important. One thing I do, before I take time off, is reschedule unfinished tasks for the day when I am back at work, so I know they have been accounted for and I am not thinking about them when I am off.
Rest could include being still. Being still, being present, breathing, noticing your surroundings. Pay attention to what you can hear. Like many of you I find being in nature incredibly restful and it’s an opportunity to enjoy the scenic views. There is something wonderful about the sounds of the sea and the lapping of waves if you’re at the coast. Or if in the woods or a park, the sound of birds and the wind rustling the leaves. The absence of everyday noise allows me to enjoy the noise of nature and contributes to how I experience rest.
I believe rest is necessary for holistic well-being, in addition to being a prerequisite for productivity. But what is also really important is guilt-free rest! Having a strong work ethic is honourable, however, that should not be at the expense of rest. If you have never asked yourself how good you are at resting, reading this blog may be an opportune moment to do so. You deserve quality and meaningful rest, not just because you work hard, but because you’re human. This month can I encourage you to be as intentional about rest as you are about every other aspect of your life
Images are from the South Coast, UK.
Francesca McDowall, May 2023