Self-Care Saturday: Life Giving Rest
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Earlier this week I found myself in a conversation with friends about how regular times of rest improves performance at work. I enjoyed hearing how other people in my life cultivate these times on a regular basis. Each friend noted a particular fruit in their career because they made resting a priority. “Rest” in this conversation went beyond mere sleep, although that is a much-needed practice our world. Instead, when I think of rest I think of all of the things in my life that help me feel more alive. What in my life helps me to find nourishment on a deep, soul level? I encourage you to make a list of those things and put them into practice. In the meantime, here are two options to cultivate rest and nourish you on a deeper level.
Practicing Yoga
Yoga is a practice that slows the mind and body by combining physical poses and meditation. This week I listened to an interview with Bessel van der Kolk discussing how yoga reconnects people impacted by trauma back to their bodies. He stated, “Yoga is the way to befriend your own body. Learning how to breathe calmly and move calmly is very important for them.” Even if you never experienced trauma in your life a growing trend for women is learning to connect with their bodies in healthy, restorative ways. Yoga can give you rest because it nourishes your whole body. For those looking for a free introduction to yoga then check out Yoga with Adriene online. (You always need to check with your doctor before beginning a fitness program).
Saying "No"
Each day holds opportunities to say “yes” or “no” to aspects of our lives. Would you like to teach a Sunday school class this quarter? Can you coach our soccer team this year? Can you lead the business meetings in March? The questions never seem to stop, don’t they? Often our decisions are based in guilt and obligation. Rarely do we ask, “Is this the best way to spend my time?” One reason we do not ask this question is because we never take the time to figure out what we really want in life. If you decide that you want to be more connected to your kid, then take on the soccer coach adventure. If moving up in your company is not a priority, then do not force yourself to lead the next set of meetings. For the next month, as a self-care experiment, take some time to figure out what is most important for you in the next year. In fact, take the month off from saying “yes” to anything new so that you can reflect on what you want from this year. Write down your goals and use those to help you say “yes” and “no.” Saying no can give you rest because it helps you to learn your limits and invest in the most important things.
I hope this helps you create space for live giving rest. If you are still feeling stuck with reaching your goals for this year or befriending your body, feel free to call me at (615) 979-4168 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with cultivating self-care practices, you can read more about how I can help here every Saturday on the blog.
