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0 By Shirley Davis
I have spent the better part of the last week doing pretty much nothing, taking time to rest. Most importantly, I have thoroughly loved it!
As many of you may or may not know, I am very busy between this blog, other writing projects, college, and weekly psychotherapy. Whew!
Taking Time To Rest is Vital to Mental Health
So, I decided the Monday of Thanksgiving, to take some time just for me. I had no homework due, and no pressing deadlines, so why not?
Taking time to rest is vital to anyone’s mental health.
We Push Hard to Get Something
Sometimes the people who are hardest on us, are ourselves. We push, and push, and push. Why? We are working hard to get better, get ahead, get something because often we don’t feel we are quite good enough yet, that we must somehow improve.
However, it is important to remember that even professional soldiers need time to decompress and to allow themselves to play.
Never Underestimate the Power of Play
In fact, one should never underestimate the power of play.
This play doesn’t have to be anything expensive or extravagant.
This past week, I’ve sat around and read fluffy books (nothing serious in other words) and done dozens of puzzles like Sudoku and Crosswords. I’ve listened to music and played with my two-year old nephew. I’ve laughed and laughed until my belly hurt. I’ve gone to the store and roamed for hours, just enjoying the company of my sister-in-law. We didn’t buy much, but we enjoyed a girls’ day out.
All Warriors Need to Allow Time for Themselves to Rest
I encourage all of you who read this blog, (I know you are warriors like myself), to allow yourself some time to rest, especially during the stress of the holidays.
Sit back, enjoy the company of your family and/or friends. Maybe go to the local library and scan the stacks of books. Check out one that you have never read, and enjoy some ‘me time’ reading.
If you’re a nerd like myself, get out a math book and do problems. I find this to be extremely relaxing, and time-consuming as well.
There is no end to the list of things we can do to entertain ourselves and relax.
A Very Important Hint
Turn off the electronics. Turn off the smart TV, the smart phone (except for calls), and iPad. Let yourself decompress from the world and its woes. After all, you can’t change what is happening anyway, so why not allow the world to take care of itself for a few hours or days?
The Problems of Life Will Wait
Relax, relax, relax. When you are done resting, all those problems and issues you have been working on so courageously will still be there for you to attend to.
I can promise you that.
Ahhhhh! Doesn’t that feel better?
1in4 UK Book Store:
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“Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgement will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.” Leonardo da Vinci
Reproduced with permission, originally posted here: Rest, Magical Cure
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