During the last few months of 2021 it felt like I was saying or hearing “I’m tired” on repeat!
There was this sense of urgency to wrap up everything before people went on leave over the festive season, while knowing people were most likely only returning to work from mid-January. In essence we were trying to cram 3 months into the six weeks from 1 November to mid-December.
It was exhausting!
And the 4 annual leave days between Christmas and New Year’s – was in no way enough time to recharge my energy levels.
I was finding that even though I slept between 6-8 hours, most days my energy levels were still severely depleted.
In January I shared a post which references Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith’s book Sacred Rest. In the book, she mentions that we might think that getting more sleep will solve our lack of energy. But we actually need to access 7 different types of rest in order to recharge ourselves. These are – physical, emotional, mental, social, creative, spiritual and sensory rest.
Work FROM your rest, not FOR your rest.
Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith, Sacred Rest
A friend also encouraged me to listen Gretchen Rubin’s podcast episode on #Rest22in22. Gretchen issues a yearly habit challenge to herself and listeners. Her challenge for this year is…REST for 22 minutes a day in 2022. I decided to commit to this challenge myself.
Here are a few tips on how to be intentional about your rest.
As we wrapped up June (end of the financial year) things were very busy. My energy levels were low, so I made an appointment to see my GP for a check up. All the preventative screening seems fine, but I’ve started taking a multivitamin and do need to make some lifestyle changes.
I’d already planned annual leave for my birthday (mid-August), but during this time decided to recommit to #Rest22in22.
I didn’t access work emails and tried to spend limited time on social media, which covered my sensory rest. I’ll admit the first few days were tough, since I felt like I was missing out on important things. So it really helped that I had deleted my email account from my phone.
With activities planned for my actual birthday (Monday) and a wedding (Saturday) – I balanced my social rest (time with other vs time alone).
My days were filled with reading and watching series/movies. Part of me felt like I “should have been” doing more/different things. But ultimately it was about doing the things that were meaningful for me and added joy to my life.
The biggest thing was taking a proper break from work and getting mental rest. As well as creative rest, since I worked on content for my Instagram page and even published a blog post.
I already have a morning routine, which covers my spiritual rest. With my physical rest, I’ve been tracking my sleep and daily steps for the last few years. My support system is amazing, so I’m filling up with emotional rest regularly.
Some days are definitely easier than others. And I’ve learnt to treat myself with kindness. Giving myself grace when I stumble.
Take some time today and be intentional about your rest.
Emjay's Musings 