When It's Time to Rest
I thought I had been doing better about knowing when it's time to rest.
Last week, though, I had a scary medical experience, necessitating the intervention of some nice paramedics and some nicer strangers. In the end, I was fine -- and a long day in bed and some further days of less put me as good as new. But it did remind me one more time why I need to always remember to prioritize restoration.
The need for rest in my life isn't a foreign concept to me, and in January I even announced that my 2013 word of the year was Rest.
So how had I been doing? Not bad, I thought. I had made a handful of conscious decisions to do less and to be more present in the past few months, and was trying to remember my word whenever a decision to do more (or do less) was facing me down.
Until said plane trip.
As I learned on that plane, and as I learned during the day I spent in bed in a hotel room after the fact, if we don't make time to rest, it will find us.
But rest, in our busy lives, isn't always top of mind.
The problem is that unless we all want to run away to a small island with a cranky old modem and a rotary telephone, we can't just quit our lives, and finding real rest has to happen in the midst of the lives we currently lead. So how do we do it? It means saying no (sometimes) to a dinner with friends, even when you may want to go. It means saying no (sometimes) to a work engagement, even when it's a good opportunity. And it means saying no (sometimes) to a weekend away in a far off land.
Sound hard?
It is.
But (I hear), it's worth it.
For more on starting your day in a restful way, try myfree ebook -- The Present Principle: Seven Steps to Life in the Now.
Co-founder/COO
11 年Well, it is great to 'rest' and 'store', which is what restoration does to your body.
Driver/Sales Account Manager
11 年I know it's been said a million times but a body in motion truly stays in motion. Exercise is not only just a means of looking good or a hip fashion, it is the only way to over- excel. I know it doesn't seem logical if you are completely burned out physically how can you find the energy to exercise? But trust me, and most successful people would agree if you make the time to get a workout in daily your energy level and state of mind will improve tremendously. Not only will you have more stamina and energy for overtime work you will also increase your mental well being and positive attitude. I had a neck surgery in 1997 and after recovering I stopped working out (mostly running) for 2 years. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I felt tired all the time but mostly I had a inner sadness that I would not go away. I tried taking supplements like St. Johns Wart and even tried meditation! After putting on a few pounds I decided to start my cardio routine back up. That was the trick! I never realized just how much our bodies affect our minds and emotions. I truly believe that exercise is the best anti -depressant, sleep regulator, and key to overall business performance there is. R.Y. Emerson.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Arringo
11 年Your body is signalling you to start paying attention. Appreciate and use this information. Doing less is actually doing more. 80% of the work is done mentally, action is only 20%. When more action is necessary then the 20%, the mental part was less done. We can all run away inside our-self, but that place should be comfortable and relaxing, so it requires some self finding. :) Listen to your body (i.e. gut) if you want to choose between 2 events or for one to cancel. Your body will always guide you, but you have to start paying attention and give it credit and appreciation.
Fleet Manager at Water & Sewer Utilities,City of Newark
11 年LEARN THE SCIENCE OF MIND[not psychology] FROM VEDAS OF INDUS VALLEY CULTURE AND PHILOSOPHY, THAT IS THE ORIGIN OF ALL RELIGIONS. THEN YOU CAN KEEP YOUR MIND RELAXED EVEN IF YOUR BODY IS PHYSICALLY BUSY IN ACTIVITIES. THE PURE SPIRITUALITY IS UNDERSTANDING THE MIND AND TAKING IT TO THE HIGHER PLANE OF INTELLIGENCE. Alex V. Koshy
Administrative Assistant at Thornton Tomasetti
11 年If you do not rest your body will make you rest. I found that out recently and put in for vacation. I feel so much better. Thanks for the reminder to rest.