Saturday Health & Wellness

The Art of Always Being Able to Find Rest

I have been thinking about rest differently lately.

We often think rest means going to bed, taking a nap, putting our feet up or having absolutely nothing to do.

But I believe there is an art to learning how to find rest wherever you are.

No matter the circumstances.
No matter the location.
No matter the weather.

Because sometimes life is not going to cooperate and create the perfect peaceful setting for us.

Sometimes the house is noisy.

Sometimes your mind is busy.

Sometimes you’re at work.

Sometimes your body is uncomfortable.

Sometimes life itself is simply LIFE-ING. 😂

And yet, I believe we can learn how to find little pockets of rest within all of it.

Rest is one of your mind, body and spirit’s best friends. 🌻

Your Mind Needs Rest

Our minds are constantly processing something.

Work. Family. Decisions. Responsibilities. Conversations. Worries. Phones. Social media. News. And sometimes we are replaying things that happened hours, days or even years ago.

Mental rest can simply mean giving your brain permission to stop solving something for a minute.

Sit quietly.

Look out a window.

Listen to music.

Close your eyes.

Watch the birds.

Breathe.

You don’t necessarily have to go to sleep to give your mind a break.

Your Body Needs Rest

Your body is working for you all day long, even when you don’t think about it.

Your muscles are supporting you. Your heart is beating. Your lungs are breathing. Your digestive system is working. Your nervous system is constantly receiving and responding to information.

And when we are physically active, stressed, hurting or simply tired, our bodies need opportunities to recover.

Sometimes rest means sleep.

But sometimes it means changing positions, sitting down for ten minutes, stretching gently, breathing deeply or deciding that something can wait until tomorrow.

Everything doesn’t always have to be pushed through.

Your Spirit Needs Rest Too

This one may be the easiest to forget.

There are times when you are not physically exhausted, but you just feel heavy.

Your spirit is tired.

That’s when I believe we need to know what brings us back to ourselves.

For me, sometimes it’s sitting at my tower window watching the birds, squirrels and whatever else decides to show up for the morning show. 😂

Sometimes it’s prayer.

Sometimes it’s laughter.

Sometimes it’s simply sitting quietly and being grateful that I woke up to another day.

The important thing is knowing what gives YOU rest.

Because we won’t always have control over our circumstances.

We won’t always be able to change our location.

And we certainly can’t control the weather. 😂

But maybe we can become better at recognizing those small opportunities to give our mind, body and spirit a moment to exhale.

Rest doesn’t always require a bed.

Sometimes rest is simply finding a few peaceful minutes in the middle of everything else.

And the older I get, the more I realize…

Rest isn’t laziness.
Rest is part of taking care of yourself.

Learn how to find yours. 🌻

From Flava in Her Tower 🌻