Rest Is A Necessity

The faster we go, the more we can accomplish, right?  Keep the kids busy with school and activities, and they won’t get into trouble.  A few more late nights at work, and you’ll get that raise or promotion.  If you add one more day at the gym, you’ll lose those last few pounds. One more class or certification will make the difference.  You’ll finally have enough knowledge. 

We run faster and faster and never really get anywhere.  We’re on the proverbial hamster wheel.  We’re headed for massive burnout.

If you want to tap into your creativity.  If you want your mind to stop racing finally.  If you want to find peace – then you must rest.

God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need.”

Edith Stein (St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross)

Searching Dr. Google, you’ll find all the links referring to how much sleep you need our how many rest days you need when weight training.  Nobody talks about rest that isn’t sleeping or time away from the gym.  But that’s not rest.  What about these definitions?

Rest – Cease work or movement to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.

Rest – An instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in a strenuous or stressful activity.

Rest – An interval of silence of a specified duration.

Equanimity is mental calmness or composure, especially in a difficult situation.  It’s about observing while life is in constant movement around you.  It’s about letting yourself experience and feel your feelings without judgment.  It’s an awareness.  If you’re constantly moving without thought, you miss out on the quiet moments of inner strength and peace that can only come when you have practiced the art of rest.

I often refer to rest as a pause.  It’s taking time not doing anything or doing something for the pure joy of it.  No agenda is required.  For me, I would define rest as ceasing work, quieting the mind and body, and getting comfortable with silence.

I recently admitted something to myself.  I feel guilty if I’m not constantly doing something productive.  I grew up believing that it wasn’t ok to simply do nothing.  That was a waste of time.  Sadly, I doubled down on that belief when my girls were little.  I don’t think I sat down for years!  I wish I had known then what I know now.

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hours is needed.

St. Francis de Sales

Saint Francis was very wise indeed!  The busier we are, the more rest we need!

Rest can come in many forms.

1. I took a one-year sabbatical after I closed the restaurant.  I was hurting emotionally and physically, worn down.  I needed time to free myself.
2. Sometimes rest looks like a vacation.  Getting out and exploring new things can give the mind a break from the daily hustle.
3. Rest can take the form of getting outside in nature.  There is nothing like hiking in the mountains for me.  The quiet, the rustle of a breeze through pine needles, the clean air, the sounds of birds, and the trickle of water in a mountain stream grounds me and always brings me peace.
4. After a hard day, 20-minutes of slow-flow yoga is often the trick.  I bring my mind to the present, letting go of what happened before and what will happen next.  I reconnect with my breath and allow it to deepen.
5. Meditation is a wonderful rest.
6. Rest often takes the form of cooking.  I know some people won’t relate to this. Still, the repetitive nature of chopping vegetables and making a creative dish focuses my movements and mind, especially if there is some jazz music playing in the background.
7. Rest can also take the form of turning off the alarm.  Instead of jumping straight out of bed – take time to stretch a bit and offer a prayer of thankfulness.  Recently, I’ve discovered the joy of drinking a cup of coffee while reading a good book in bed.  Gasp!  Who am I?

Rest will reconnect you to your inner voice and forgotten dreams.  Rest will revitalize your energy.  Rest will increase your awareness of beauty.  Rest is an important gift of self-care.

Make time for rest, even if you must schedule it.  You are worth it!