Take a Break…

Do you sometimes feel too tired to face the strain and challenges of the day? Some people assume that it’s an unfortunate feature of getting older. Wiser heads recognise that fatigue can drain our enthusiasm and deplete our energy at any stage of life. And the culprit is often hiding in plain sight. Can you guess what it is? We’re referring, of course, to the effects of prolonged stress and an accumulation of worry and anxiety. A surplus of stress has an adverse effect on our sleep and leaves us feeling exhausted. So, in light of this increasingly widespread problem, what can we do to fire up our determination, renew our energy and re-ignite our personal mojo?

Let’s be clear. We need to acknowledge that there’s no substitute for a good night’s rest. The problems of a lack of sleep can’t be resolved with a positive attitude and a rousing pep talk. It’s more like an overdraft and, at some point, it will have to be paid back in full. Sleep deficit represents far more than a feeling of fatigue beneath a lingering cloud of lethargy. The effects can be seen in unintended weight gain, auto-immune imbalances, mood swings, irritability, lack of focus and a tendency towards depression. Getting adequate rest is not a luxury. It’s an essential component for normal physical, mental and emotional functioning. The value of adequate rest is often overlooked when we consider our fitness and wellbeing needs. Turning down the stress response is a helpful step on the pathway to better sleep. You could start by switching off your phone and taking a few glorious minutes to just breathe more deeply and relax your face, neck and shoulder muscles. You might also need to take a break.

Getting away from work is a well-recognised strategy for recharging the batteries and gaining a clearer perspective. In the real world, however, if you can’t disappear for a couple of weeks, you could learn to give your mind a rest through meditation and engage your powers of visualisation to surround yourself with a beautiful, calming vista of sunlight and peace that helps to revitalise your mind and body. It only takes a few minutes but the results could help to sustain your energy and your focus. We’ve known for thousands of years that these techniques are exceptionally effective. The more you practise them, the more you will be able to enjoy the benefits of a calm and focused mind that can introduce deeply restorative images and feelings that open a gateway into a world of inner peace and bliss. Mindfulness provides a free ticket to wherever your imagination wishes to alight. Learn to use this natural faculty today and change your life forever.

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