Finding a way to rest

Hi there,

Wellbeing means something different to everyone. It’s all about getting to know what works for?you.??

But, when it comes to our wellbeing, one thing IS universal: knowing when to rest.

Rest is a hugely underrated factor in maintaining our resilience.?We need to rest when things are going well.??And we definitely need to rest when things are not.?

But to find a way to rest, first you need to find a way to trust -

• your?boundaries: so you’re clear you need to take it
• your?colleagues:?that they can hold the fort while you’re away?

And maybe most importantly??

• your future self: that you will be able to pick up where you left off when you return.

So, what can you do to harness that trust?

1)?Be clear about your boundaries.

You won’t be able to trust your boundaries if you don’t know what they are. Take some time out to reflect on the limits of your time and energy. This might take a bit of extra reflection now that many of us are working more flexibly than ever before. Here’s some guidance.

2)?Agree?a wellbeing rescue plan with your team.?

At its simplest, this is an agreement across the team about what happens when anyone needs to take some downtime.?When they have questions like: 'How will my work get covered?', 'Who do I need to notify?' or 'What do I need to do about keeping in touch?', they can refer to a trusted protocol already in place.

It gives practical reassurance. But it's also an important cultural signal: taking rest is OK here. We'll work it out, together.

3) Buddy up with a?resilience accountability partner.

This is my twist on that term as you might already know it - but has nothing to do with checking in on goals and progress. It’s all about having an objective and trusted colleague who will?-

• advise you on setting appropriate boundaries with your time and energy
• tell you if the time comes that you simply need to take a break
• remind you that you’ve got what it takes to pick it up when you get back

The research is clear on three things:?

1. Work is good for our health .??
2. Working beyond our boundaries to the point of burnout is not .?

3. And working when we are already sick is definitely not .?

Having a safe space to admit when we need a break and a practical plan to put in place will allow you and your colleagues to take the rest you need, when you need it.

And just one more thing...

Sometimes, even when I know I need to rest, it can be hard to work out exactly what to do with myself (just me?).

So, I found this TED talk by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith *really* helpful. Dr. Dalton-Smith describes the seven different types of rest we all need. While binge watching The Office might sound appealing, it's not always going to do the trick.

A good reminder to tune into what your body is telling you, so you can identify what you really need ...

Bye for now,

Erin

This newsletter is a part of a series to help you find ways to change your experience of?work?for the?better. Subscribe and you'll find it in your inbox...just as soon as I've had a good rest.