I missed answering in a timely way because I’m traveling again for work. I wanted to drop this link in case others come back to look at this. I recently learned to think about different forms of rest, not just the lying down and putting my feet up kind that comes to mind first. I’ve shared this with my daughters and my team at work because all of us could use a reminder that we need to shift gears and travel at a different pace both physically and mentally.
This year I underwent a heart procedure and rest was an integral part of my recovery. In that resting I learned that exercise, mindful eating and medication was vital to my recovery. In the resting I found myself returning to practices I had set aside in the busyness of life. I learned that reading, meditation or completative prayer practice nurtured my heart, soul and mind and this brought me peace. The final lesson learned in my recovery was the value of a nap. I am so grateful for the journey I have travelled through this diagnosis and treatment. In adversity I sought out gratitude and healing. I am blessed.
Your story sounds very much like mine. I suffered a serious heart attack in June – with that came many lessons…one I needed God more than I knew…the power and comfort of prayer, medications and rest. I am now on the road to recovery…but still have lessons to learn. I am so happy that you also are healing. Blessings and goodness to you.
Noelene, you embraced what you needed for recovery. 🙏 I am the 8th of 10 children. I grew up on a large working farm. My Mom was a terrific manager. Everyday, she took a 20 minute nap. She would lie down, close her eyes, some days she would read the paper. She rested. The whole household became quiet for that 20 minutes. I don’t nap everyday, but I sure am a believer in the restorative power of a 20 minute nap. I tell my girlfriends, if you are going out for the evening, a nap is better than make-up.😉
I am forced to rest, I fell off my bike last Sunday due to mechanical problems with an old bike (40 yrs oid!) but thank goodness I was going up a slight hill shifting the bike. Sometimes rest is very much needed!!
I could rest rather than stress in those moments of waiting during a day.
I could rest when I’m waiting for a doctor’s appointment, waiting in line in the grocery store.
As I wrote this I realized waiting is really only stressful for me when traffic is slow, and I’m running late.
So stop running late, Mary!!! 😐
Okay, that’s the answer. Yes I know that.
But until I get there, what to do.
Breathe, breathe, breathe.
Breathe in gentle energy.
Breathe out toxic stress.
Many blessing to all on this lovely Thursday.
Mary, I had to chuckle at your advice to yourself to stop running late. I usually run on time with regular daily activities/appointments. But I was realizing as I reflected on my years in the out- of- home working world (which I may be returning to at some point, though currently I am blessed to be able to work in my home), that part of that feeling of running behind from the moment I started the day was that I would start the day running a little late. And then I could never catch up. I think that I gave myself that advice many a time to “stop running late” when starting the day, but somehow it was SO hard to follow : )
exercise!! I don’t do it often enough… but I know that on days when I get outside and trot a few miles or get in a hike, my spirits are lifted and my mind and body enjoy and seem to “use” rest much more effectively. So getting some valid exercise is the best way for me to get good rest. It’s a challenge for me to make that commitment and actually GET OUT THERE AND DO IT, but it never fails to be worth it. And following that, I really enjoy seeing myself keeping my home and affairs more organized – cleaning up, putting things away, clearing spaces, attending to tasks – I rest so much better when I consistently develop and apply these daily habits. Maybe just writing this down to the Reflections Community will help me keep at it and enjoy the success of cheerful exercise and maintaining a streamlined personal space. Then I can reap the reward of lovely true rest that partners with those practices.
blessings to you today, Community! thank you for this time and attention. c
Ah, Carol Ann.
“Keeping my home and affairs more organized- cleaning up, putting things away,
clearing spaces, attending to tasks”
And “maintaining a streamlined personal space.”
Yes, yes, yes and yes again to all of this.
I’m a work in progress.
I will rest easier, as I achieve these things.
♥️Thanks Carol
I would start to be more mindful about rest not only physical, but mental. So for me is having a social media break, and being more present and in the moment. Also I think its important to listen to your body when it needs rest and not feel guilty about taking a break.
In fact, I have incorporated rest into my (almost) daily life. When I have time, I am able to nap. This is new to me and I must say it rocks. And when my work schedule gets crazy, I’m able to meditate myself into a short nap. These little breaks really make a difference. I still suffer from the guilt of not going non stop and just pushing through. Really, it’s the fear of not earning enough to pay the bills that is the motivation for this frenzied lifestyle. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to relax completely into restfulness.
For the last 4 years, I have been extremely lucky in this regard, as my life circumstances have allowed me to have a less busy life and still be able to make enough money to live on. I remember how hard it was when I was working full time outside the home and felt like I was behind all day long, rushing to try to catch up. For now, I do not have difficulty incorporating moments of rest into my daily life. The morning is a restful routine, my meals are islands of rest as I mindfully and gratefully eat, I often can stop and look around me in gratitude and have moments of rest.
Like you, my answer would have been very different years ago when I had children and worked full-time in another city that required commuting nearly an hour each way morning and evening in rush hour and always feeling like my life was divided between two places. I loved a lot of things about my life then but I definitely appreciate the space I have in my days now with fewer commitments.
I’m not sure that I need more moments of rest. I have learned to pause, not just with speaking, but with being. Not working for a few months now, the pause is real! Sometimes I just stop and focus on my breath. Other times, sweeping the leaves off of the back porch is a way of resting, and as we have pretty much settled into our new home, I am making effort to “rest” into my yoga practice, which is such a wonderful time for me to reconnect to myself and also my Self/God within.
I live in a city, yet the most restful place for me is in a quiet, natural environment. I think if rest were to become a daily practice, I would tend to my indoor plants, maybe getting some new ones, and also tend to the yard, where there are leaves and dead tomato plants in the garden boxes. It would be a form of active rest, to be sure, but the effect would be similar to being in nature, I think.
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I missed answering in a timely way because I’m traveling again for work. I wanted to drop this link in case others come back to look at this. I recently learned to think about different forms of rest, not just the lying down and putting my feet up kind that comes to mind first. I’ve shared this with my daughters and my team at work because all of us could use a reminder that we need to shift gears and travel at a different pace both physically and mentally.
https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs/
This year I underwent a heart procedure and rest was an integral part of my recovery. In that resting I learned that exercise, mindful eating and medication was vital to my recovery. In the resting I found myself returning to practices I had set aside in the busyness of life. I learned that reading, meditation or completative prayer practice nurtured my heart, soul and mind and this brought me peace. The final lesson learned in my recovery was the value of a nap. I am so grateful for the journey I have travelled through this diagnosis and treatment. In adversity I sought out gratitude and healing. I am blessed.
Your story sounds very much like mine. I suffered a serious heart attack in June – with that came many lessons…one I needed God more than I knew…the power and comfort of prayer, medications and rest. I am now on the road to recovery…but still have lessons to learn. I am so happy that you also are healing. Blessings and goodness to you.
Noelene, you embraced what you needed for recovery. 🙏 I am the 8th of 10 children. I grew up on a large working farm. My Mom was a terrific manager. Everyday, she took a 20 minute nap. She would lie down, close her eyes, some days she would read the paper. She rested. The whole household became quiet for that 20 minutes. I don’t nap everyday, but I sure am a believer in the restorative power of a 20 minute nap. I tell my girlfriends, if you are going out for the evening, a nap is better than make-up.😉
a nap is better than make-up.- love this advice Mary!
I am forced to rest, I fell off my bike last Sunday due to mechanical problems with an old bike (40 yrs oid!) but thank goodness I was going up a slight hill shifting the bike. Sometimes rest is very much needed!!
Thank you all, nothing broken thank goodness!
Oh no! I hope you heal quickly.
Wishing you restorative healing.
I hope you heal quickly!
Such a shock to the system, Robin. Rest will serve you well. Godspeed.
I hope you feel better Robin Ann.
So sorry to hear you fell, Robin Ann!
Are you okay? Did you break anything?
Wishing you gentle rest and healing. ♥️
I can lie down and take a short nap in the afternoons when I am tired.
Dwell in the current moment. The current moment is the only moment I have. I do this best when I am in my garden.
I could rest rather than stress in those moments of waiting during a day.
I could rest when I’m waiting for a doctor’s appointment, waiting in line in the grocery store.
As I wrote this I realized waiting is really only stressful for me when traffic is slow, and I’m running late.
So stop running late, Mary!!! 😐
Okay, that’s the answer. Yes I know that.
But until I get there, what to do.
Breathe, breathe, breathe.
Breathe in gentle energy.
Breathe out toxic stress.
Many blessing to all on this lovely Thursday.
Mary, I had to chuckle at your advice to yourself to stop running late. I usually run on time with regular daily activities/appointments. But I was realizing as I reflected on my years in the out- of- home working world (which I may be returning to at some point, though currently I am blessed to be able to work in my home), that part of that feeling of running behind from the moment I started the day was that I would start the day running a little late. And then I could never catch up. I think that I gave myself that advice many a time to “stop running late” when starting the day, but somehow it was SO hard to follow : )
exercise!! I don’t do it often enough… but I know that on days when I get outside and trot a few miles or get in a hike, my spirits are lifted and my mind and body enjoy and seem to “use” rest much more effectively. So getting some valid exercise is the best way for me to get good rest. It’s a challenge for me to make that commitment and actually GET OUT THERE AND DO IT, but it never fails to be worth it. And following that, I really enjoy seeing myself keeping my home and affairs more organized – cleaning up, putting things away, clearing spaces, attending to tasks – I rest so much better when I consistently develop and apply these daily habits. Maybe just writing this down to the Reflections Community will help me keep at it and enjoy the success of cheerful exercise and maintaining a streamlined personal space. Then I can reap the reward of lovely true rest that partners with those practices.
blessings to you today, Community! thank you for this time and attention. c
Ah, Carol Ann.
“Keeping my home and affairs more organized- cleaning up, putting things away,
clearing spaces, attending to tasks”
And “maintaining a streamlined personal space.”
Yes, yes, yes and yes again to all of this.
I’m a work in progress.
I will rest easier, as I achieve these things.
♥️Thanks Carol
I would start to be more mindful about rest not only physical, but mental. So for me is having a social media break, and being more present and in the moment. Also I think its important to listen to your body when it needs rest and not feel guilty about taking a break.
I’m retired and it is pretty easy for me to incorporate rest in my daily life. That said, I can not always get my monkey mind to rest!
At this point in my life I have plenty of rest time. I may have to pay attention to the quality of that time.
In fact, I have incorporated rest into my (almost) daily life. When I have time, I am able to nap. This is new to me and I must say it rocks. And when my work schedule gets crazy, I’m able to meditate myself into a short nap. These little breaks really make a difference. I still suffer from the guilt of not going non stop and just pushing through. Really, it’s the fear of not earning enough to pay the bills that is the motivation for this frenzied lifestyle. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to relax completely into restfulness.
For the last 4 years, I have been extremely lucky in this regard, as my life circumstances have allowed me to have a less busy life and still be able to make enough money to live on. I remember how hard it was when I was working full time outside the home and felt like I was behind all day long, rushing to try to catch up. For now, I do not have difficulty incorporating moments of rest into my daily life. The morning is a restful routine, my meals are islands of rest as I mindfully and gratefully eat, I often can stop and look around me in gratitude and have moments of rest.
Like you, my answer would have been very different years ago when I had children and worked full-time in another city that required commuting nearly an hour each way morning and evening in rush hour and always feeling like my life was divided between two places. I loved a lot of things about my life then but I definitely appreciate the space I have in my days now with fewer commitments.
I’m not sure that I need more moments of rest. I have learned to pause, not just with speaking, but with being. Not working for a few months now, the pause is real! Sometimes I just stop and focus on my breath. Other times, sweeping the leaves off of the back porch is a way of resting, and as we have pretty much settled into our new home, I am making effort to “rest” into my yoga practice, which is such a wonderful time for me to reconnect to myself and also my Self/God within.
Hoping you all can find the rest you need!
I live in a city, yet the most restful place for me is in a quiet, natural environment. I think if rest were to become a daily practice, I would tend to my indoor plants, maybe getting some new ones, and also tend to the yard, where there are leaves and dead tomato plants in the garden boxes. It would be a form of active rest, to be sure, but the effect would be similar to being in nature, I think.
Drea, recently I have a renewed interest in caring for my few houseplants. Very satisfying and restful.
Turn off the noise; the tv, the radio, the cellphone, social media – find some you time – meditate, reflect, journal – a return to a simpler life.