We’ve all been through points when we’re just doing too much. We’re maxed out. We’re stressed out. We need a way out. We need rest!
Yet we get stuck in our day-to-day cycle, continuing to do too much. Sometimes it feels like we have so much on our plates that the only way to deal with it is to just keep working.
If we could just work harder, eventually our plates wouldn’t be as full, right?
Not so much.
Yes, better time management and productivity skills will help you get more done, faster. But that’s only a small part of the solution. You need balance (seriously – this is about stress, which has huge effects on your physical health and mental well being).
And that means adding more rest and rejuvenation to your life. It will help you be less stressed, more clearheaded, and not surprisingly, more productive, healthier, and happier.
So, my friends, I suggest taking a day of rest. Frequently. I don’t mean resting when you’re on vacation. I mean making a day of rest part of your regular, weekly routine.
I know, it might be a big change for you. But give it a try. Have a discussion with your partner, and if you’re single, set aside 15 minutes to think it through yourself.
How can you incorporate rest into every week? Would it take delegating some tasks? Saying no to some it commitments? Letting go of your standard of perfection?
And if you can’t dedicate a whole day yet (this can take some planning ahead), what would it take to set aside a half day for rest? Eventually, what would need to happen to move from a half day to a full day?
Let me share a little cheat to help you get started. Sometimes, during very busy weeks, I use this strategy on the weekends: setting a hard stop for weekend projects at a certain time of the day.
For example, Jeff and I might say that we’ll work on our projects until 4 PM, but after that, it’s time to relax. It may not be a full day of rest, but we thoroughly enjoy our evening together.
It’s a perspective shift that lets us feel that we progressed on our goals, whether or not we actually finished the projects.
Marie Wetmore, Life and Career Coach with Lion’s Share Coaching
So what do you think? What will it take for you to give yourself a day of rest? What would you do with it?
I think our bodies are designed to need rest and to function more efficiently when we get rest. Which is probably why God declared that we should set aside the Sabbath as a day of rest and worshipping Him. Of course, few of us set aside an entire day of rest, but as you suggest, we could all benefit from doing so.
Agreed. I think that no matter what our spiritual background, we can see that self-care in the form of a day of rest is only going to help us on our paths.
I also do that, specifically on a sunday, I tell my husband that I will be busy up until a set time and after that I’m done. I try to get him to do the same, and he is becoming far more receptive to the idea. have a great weekend
That’s great! Isn’t it wonderful how couples can make each other’s lives better by sharing strategies and little tips?
I love this idea. I do not handle stress well when I’m overwhelmed and overtired. As a stay at home mom to a preschooler, it seems impossible to “rest”, even when my son is sleeping. I sure hope I can do this for myself!
Thanks for putting this reality check in my face. I know how untamed stress can wreak havoc on your body and I resolve to treat myself better!
While, it’s really cool that we connected on this post. Being a stay-at-home mom, you’re probably busy all day long. But at the same time, isn’t this a wonderful opportunity for you to model healthy self-care? We live in a day and age where not only parents, but kids to, or stressed out. I honor you and recognize how huge it is that you are going to give yourself some rest. Please let me know how it goes?
Yes! I know what you mean. I see how it is so important what I show my son about handling a stressful life. I will let you know how it goes (haven’t had a day of rest though lol)
Well good luck with that, you deserve it.
I can’t wait till I can devote entire days to just rest. There is always something to do, it seems. I relax every evening, but even working out is rest for me, because it makes me feel so good just like relaxing.
awesome! Well, in my experience as a life coach, the first step to doing anything for yourself (including creating days of rest) is to make the commitment. From there, planning and execution turned out to be easier than we expect.
I certainly may need to “set a hard stop” on weekend work more often. What a wonderful idea. Thank you
awesome, good luck with it. It works. Let me know how it goes!
Marie, this is so right. I am just beginning a book by Wayne Muller called Sabbath. He presents a compelling case, like you, that stopping is the engine that revitalizes human activity.
thanks. It sounds like a great book, I’m going to check it out.