When you read that title did you ask yourself, “Rest and relaxation? What are those? I haven’t really rested since I was a child.”
Think about these questions. Do you take time to relax during the day – just a few minutes to unwind or sit still and breathe? Do you feel so exhausted at night but can’t fall asleep easily? If you’re saying to yourself “There’s no way I have time to do that. Do you know what all I have to do in my schedule? My kids needs me to …. Or my boss expects me to …. Or my church, volunteer organization, PTA, child’s sports team needs me to … Or my husband wants me to ….” The list goes on and on and I’m sure you get the picture.
In our modern society we often are similar to hamsters on a wheel – always running but not really getting anywhere. We feel stress and often don’t prioritize how to decrease our load. And yes, I do understand. I have a family, obligations, and responsibilities like you do, and it can be hard to make time for myself. But I do know what happens if we don’t – things like premature aging, high blood pressure, weight struggles, metabolic issues, anxiety, depression, etc. which can lead to chronic disease, taking multiple medications, and feeling hopeless. I don’t like those options as I’m sure you don’t either. So what can we do?
There are 3 things that I believe can help – 3 M’s (and they’re not M&M’s candy!)
3 M’s for Rest and Relaxation:
- Mindfulness
- Meditation on Scripture
- Mixing with others
Mindfulness means focusing our mind on what is occurring right now – giving your attention to the present. What are you focusing on right now? Your job, your family, activities, friends? All the things you need to do in the future – your busy life? If so, then you’re probably spinning your wheels and often times feel anxious, irritable, and discouraged. The most important thing is slow down, be peaceful and calm, and focus on relaxing. If you’re a Christian, it’s focusing on God and maybe listening to uplifting Christian music or even soft and peaceful music. Pray and give your worries to the Lord. Or I’ve even heard someone say they pretend and say aloud, “I’m putting all these worries (and they name each one) into this box – toybox, shoebox, whatever you actually have so you can visualize it). I’m going to let them stay in the box until ….. (for example, tomorrow morning, in an hour, etc.) Just give yourself time and permission NOT to think about them.
Meditation means contemplation or reflection, thinking. When we meditate on Scripture, we can set aside just 5 minutes to think about a Bible verse or read a Bible passage. This is great to do in the morning because that’s what you can think about throughout your day. Also great to do in the evening because then when your head hits the pillow, you can focus on that verse and fall asleep easier.
Mixing with others is significant because we all need others. Our lives interconnect with people – from family to friends to coworkers to others with common interests. I know when I feel down and discouraged, I’m so thankful to have someone to talk to or just be with others to lift my spirits. Try setting up a time to get together with a friend to talk this week – whether that’s meeting for coffee or dinner, taking a walk and chatting with a friend, joining a group this week such as an exercise class (dance, karate, spinning, yoga, running) or hobby (knitting, photography, biking, church Bible study, charity organization). You can google the hobby, your city, and state and several sites will pop up.
Life was not meant just to eat, sleep, go to work, and do activities at a frantic pace. Taking time to practice mindfulness, meditation, and mixing with others are all types of self-care that will set you up for success in all areas of your health and life.
Would you like help in setting up and achieving your health goals including rest and connection with others? If so, I’d love the opportunity to work with you. I’m a board certified health and wellness coach but also a fellow warrior in this life having struggled with brain fog, anxiety, digestive problems, weight issues, busyness, and depression. I’m not perfect but have learned a lot about how our physical health affects our mental and emotional and spiritual health. So now I help other women use nutrition and lifestyle modifications to help decrease symptoms so they can feel better and be who God created them to be. If that’s you, reach out and we can talk to see if we’d be a good fit to work together. You can contact me here for a free 20 minute consult. You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here to help. — Leah Cheshire, NBC-HWC
