Have you ever had those weeks where you are so busy that you can barely hear yourself think? I know I have more of those weeks than I care to admit. Then there are times when I seem to have clusters of those types of weeks at one time. Days where it seems that no rest is in sight. Though those types of weeks are ok periodically, if it’s out of the norm not to have them then it’s probably time to adjust some things. I’ve learned the hard way that if you don’t take rest, your body will take one for you. When I say that I know it sounds cliché, but really your body will take it’s own rest if you don’t take rest on your own. Trust me I know.
This is really something that I am working on incorporating into my life, and if you don’t currently get rest often, I suggest you do the same. As women we need to really make self-care a priority. Resting is definitely a good form of self-care in my opinion. Not only resting our bodies but resting our minds. It’s so refreshing, and it’s like hitting the reset button. Take some time to just relax, watch a movie, go for a walk long walk and just enjoy the scenery. If none of those things are relaxing or restful to you, take your pick on what is relaxing and restful to you. Is it having a sit down dinner with your family, taking a long hot bubble bath or maybe even curling up with a journal and writing to your heart’s content. Whatever it is that relaxes you, do that and hit your own reset button.
So how does one begin to break the habit of extreme busyness? Well if you’re a busy body like me, this could be a hard task. I came up with a few different ideas that may help you and I, get into the new habit of taking some time to rest. The first idea is to choose a day of the week that works for you where you can clear your calendar and take some well deserved you time or family time(but if you take family time be sure the also get some you time as well). This doesn’t have to be a day where you do absolutely nothing, but my goal is to reserve the day to do what relaxes me. If it feels like work, then my relax day is not the day that I’ll be doing it. When you are so used to being busy this may take some getting use to, but just do it anyway. The more relaxed and refreshed you feel after each time you do it, should you make want to keep this high on your priority list or even make it a non negotiable in your life.
If you aren’t able to take a full day to rest take then take a few hours. Block out some time and schedule this as an appointment on your calendar. Don’t schedule anything else during this time. Treat this appointment with yourself, as you would an important doctor’s appointment or a business meeting at work. Just as you would do everything you could not to cancel or reschedule those type of appointments, do the same with your rest appointment. Make it a priority!
For those who aren’t able to take a few hours because of your caregiver duties or whatever the case may be. I suggest that you take a minimum of 30 minutes everyday just for you. Some time to clear your mind and relax and do something that’s just for you. Since you are only able to take a little time each day, I really recommend that this time be non negotiable on your calendar. Making it non negotiable will allow you to make sure it’s done daily and gives you some sort of rejuvenation.
Taking time for ourselves is not selfish at all, I actually think taking me time is a selfless act. It not only allows you to reset, it’s also beneficial for those you care for or interact with often. I find that when we don’t get any kind of time for ourselves it can make us irritable and it is definitely draining. So even if a full day of rest isn’t possible take some time each day just for you, to get some rest. It’s not just for you but for those you love as well. As always remember you are a Worthy Woman!