“The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.” ~Author Unknown
As soon as I am done writing this blog, I will rest.*
Just one more phone call and then I will stop and get something to eat.*
I sure could use a massage, but I just can’t find the time.*
*This was the way I treated myself for years (and, to be honest, I still have to be consciously aware of this tendency).
I used to believe that rest was the reward for working hard to get everything accomplished on my plate for the day.
Rest was always the last item on each day’s ‘to-do’ list.
It didn’t take too long for me to discover that there was a major problem with that line of thinking. At the end of each day, my ‘to-do’ list seemed to get longer and longer…there was always something more to do…one more phone call to make…one more idea to act upon…one more person requesting help.
And, by continuing to keep ‘rest’ as the last item on the list, I eventually collapsed and wound up with adrenal failure requiring a doctor-ordered rest in bed for 2 years.
That’s how I discovered that the body demands balance.
For fast-acting relief, try slowing down. ~Lily Tomlin
I learned that I can either make time to rest, relax, and nourish between my other activities … or I can expect that my body will stage a coup instead of supporting me to achieve success.
“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” — Ovid
Nature provides a beautiful model of how important the resting stage is in the process of growth. From seeding, to sprouting, to blooming and harvesting, to resting to allow the earth to replenish.
And, music provides another confirmation of the importance of rest stops. As any musician will tell you, the beauty lies in the pauses between the notes.
I invite you to consider where — and for what length — you are placing the spaces of rest between the notes of your activities.
And, even if you only have 1 minute to rest between each of your activities, here’s a few ways to maximize those minutes. Start by setting the one-minute timer on your phone and then…
1. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Say to yourself: “I breathe in peace and I breathe out joy with each breath.”
OR
2. Yawn 10 times as wide and loud as you possibly can. Yawning is the body’s way of rejuvenating the brain so that it can function more effectively.
OR
3. Close your eyes and imagine you are on vacation in your favorite location. Feel the temperature of the air, hear the sounds, smell the aromas, see the colors of the scenery, sense your feet walking on the earth.
When the time is up, notice how much more relaxed and alert you feel.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, inspirations, questions and comments about this Stress-Free Living Tip below.
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As always, thank you for sharing this Tip with your team members, co-workers, friends and family…any one you feel would enjoy being more ‘attractive’ with what they desire to have in their lives to achieve their goals with velocity and ease.
Stacey Hall, L.S.H., C.N.T.C., C.A.C, C.R.T.S.
Success Coach, Speaker, Best-Selling Author
CEO, Chi-To-Be!, LLC