The Why of Rest

How old were you when you learned that you are more valuable when you are productive?


Who has made you feel important and special because of what you produced?


Our society really values productivity, results, output, and achievement. We put people on the cover of the magazines and talk about them publicly. There are no awards for the people who know how to rest. For the people who rest the best ;) Rest is so incredibly valuable and great for us. And the point of rest is not to increase your productivity when you back at it. The point of rest is that it is restorative for your body, mind, emotional well-being, relationships, and spirit. Taking time to move slow and not do a lot is natural. No animals are working 10-hours a day, 6-days a week, for 50-weeks out of the year.


Why rest? Because it is great for you and will make you feel happier and grounded.


If you feel uncomfortable taking time to rest, you are not alone.


Here are 3 Simple Ways to Rest:


1) Days Without Plans - Have days in your calendar on weekends and holidays where you do not have any obligations. Do not put pressure on yourself to get anything accomplished or be productive. Enjoy the slow time and just BE.


2) Time Outside - Sit outside with friends, family, or alone and do not engage with any technology. Resist the urge to check social media, listen to a podcast, etc. Tune in to the sights, sounds, and smells around you and notice your muscles relaxing.


3) Sleeping More - Experiment with sleeping thirty minutes to two hours more per night. Figure out what you can stop doing to make this happen. Do you not engage with your phone and social media, not watch TV, work a little less, clean a little less, and let go. Notice how your nervous system calms down when you are well rested. Game changer.


Have you seen my VIRAL TED Talk - The Simple Secret of Being Happier?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYeHV_nA36c

You are enough.
Your kids love you so much.
Everything is going to be ok.

Tia