Tag Archives: rest

Do Yourself A Favor

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I wrote something for today but it was fueled by exhaustion. I’m long overdue for a vacation or maybe just a good night’s sleep. While I ruminate over whether or not I want to publish a piece that’s kind of personal but that would likely resonate with many of you, I give you this one very small suggestion.

Do yourself a favor.

Step away from all the screens in your life. Turn off the tv. Put down your phone. Step away from your computer.

Now read something. Anything that is printed on a tangible piece of paper. A novel for escapism, a non-fiction book for education or a printed newspaper for the sake of understanding something that is happening in the world around you.

Ask questions. Be curious. Seek to understand what doesn’t meet the eye. Do something that will make you smarter or happier or just better informed than you’ll be with the garbage fed to you by social media and televised opinions that are masqueraded as news.

If you don’t want to do this, walk outside. Go for a hike, hit the swings at the park, wave to your neighbors from your front porch.

I honestly don’t care what you do. Just find a way to either better your mind or to ground yourself in the outdoors.

It may not make sense to you at this moment but it may after you have done it.

What do you have to lose?

Sunday Reset

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Sunday is typically my day to recharge and reset for the new week. Honestly, I do very little, instead embracing the notion that Sunday ought to be a day of rest.

I set aside some time early in the day to do laundry, maybe to make a couple of things to eat for quick lunches and do a few small things that make the work week easier.

The focus of the day is usually self care and mental wellness.

Given how tired I have been all week long, today couldn’t have come quick enough. I am not ashamed to say that I am relieved for this day.

Wherever you are and whatever you do, listen to your body. Take a break. Step off the treadmill. Whatever you call it, embrace the fine art of rejuvenation so you’re ready to face whatever stress this coming week throws your way.

Happiness Is….

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Happiness is a lazy Sunday at home.

I had a chat with Scout before bed on Saturday night, explaining that mental and physical exhaustion is real for those of us who have to earn a living and keep up with adult responsibilities. He will never know this first hand because he’s a cat and I work hard to earn money to give him the life he thinks he deserves.

He listened carefully and, instead of being the 3 a.m. rapscallion we all know he can be, he chose a gentler path that allowed me to sleep. In fact, he let me sleep past ten, something that hasn’t happened since the last time I was sick.

He is a kind and giving soul.

The rest of the day consisted of laundry, dishes, comfort food, Christmas movies, reading and a phone call from a friend. That about covers it and I was glad for a quiet day to do next to nothing. If not for that phone call, I might have even taken a nap.

We all need that quiet day occasionally. Our bodies weren’t intended to be on the go all the time and our minds weren’t designed to be active for every waking minute of the day. Errands will wait. The house can stay dirty. That Facebook message needn’t be answered. One day won’t matter but your body will reward you for the rest.

Don’t believe me? Try it and see what happens.

Rest

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A sinus issue that I have been fighting for over a week seems to have settled in to stay. It’s the dry kind that makes your sinus cavities hurt and that causes pain in the gums. The strain of it all causes fatigue.

Last night, after work, I did something out of character and went to bed. My to-do list can wait. Yesterday’s lunch dishes can wait too. Sometimes a gal just needs to rest.

When you don’t feel well, just rest and reset. Maybe today will be better.

A New Day

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Doesn’t this look inviting? It’s from my last road trip through Indiana. I haven’t had much fun since that April weekend and it’s starting to show.

Life has been harder than it needs to be for some time now. I try to plan and to live with intention but am surrounded by people who fly by the seat of their pants and waste my time. I’m trying to extract myself from these relationships and these circumstances but it’s starting to feel impossible.

So I muddle through and am exhausted by it all. I just want to sit under a tree and rest a while. What I wouldn’t give for a summer camp for chronically exhausted adults.

I have plans for today to help me recharge my battery – something just as important as actual sleep. Wherever you are on this Friday, I hope you are able to recharge your battery and feel good.

Today is a new day.

Long weekend

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It’s a long weekend for many of us in America since Monday is Presidents’ Day. The weather is going to be absolutely gorgeous today. At 45 degrees and sunny, one could not ask for better hiking weather and I am tempted to hit the trail this afternoon.

Unfortunately, my body is begging for rest. I had a sinus issue this week, complete with a cough that kept me up most nights. And, of course, the neck issue I developed Thursday persists.

I’m starting to fray around the edges.

So I bought a new pillow, some pain cream and some quick prep foods to make mealtime easier this weekend. I also bought this clearance journal designed to help me slow down and plan wellness improvements.

How sad that I’m seeking health advice from the clearance shelf.

It’s important to listen to your body and to give it what it’s begging for. So unless I feel significantly better this afternoon, I’ll be hanging out with my cat, a book and my tv remote. This isn’t really my speed but here we are.

Enjoy your Saturday and wish me luck!