REST, BUT FOR REAL

So many of us find ourselves utterly TIRED. I mean, just exhausted all the time. And we think if we can just get a few extra hours of sleep one day or stay in bed one Sunday that we'll recharge enough to get us going. 

When's the last time you felt energized and not drained for a long period of time? With all of our many hats we wear every day on top of our own internal battles, this shit is A LOT. 

I'll never forget a saying "prioritize your wellness or be forced to deal with your illness". And that wellness can play into the physical, mental, emotional or psychosocial aspects of our lives. 

So here's a personal message, inspired by @yoomeehealing, for those who rarely and truly prioritize REST consistently. I'm talking about the same way you show up for work, take your kids to school, take a shower, cook. Layering rest into your DAY. Into your week in a real way. 

PHYSICAL REST

This is the most common type of rest that we identify with. Ways to physically rest:

Sleep. What things keep you from getting enough sleep? Maybe scrolling too much in bed. Thoughts. Or not pausing for naps when needed. 

Stretching and mindful movement. Intentional connecting with your body and loosening up your muscles can make you feel so much more at ease. 

Nourishing food. You ever notice how you feel BAD after eating some bad shit. Low vibrational. Skip some of that. 

MENTAL REST

Our minds can DRAIN US. We know this. Getting out of our heads can really free us. Ways to mentally rest:

Meditation. Try a guided mediation. Or if this isn't your thing, try to sit and connect with your breath. 

Painting. Or coloring. Carve out some time to have your focus be on creating. 

Gardening. Another way to shift focus and relax your mental space. 

Digital Detox. Whew, baby. THE INTERNET WILL DRAIN YOUR ENTIRE BEING. Especially with the chaos going on in the world. Get off of there for a day or two. Or five. 

EMOTIONAL REST

Different from our mental space and thoughts, emotional rest is all about releasing and processing emotions in our body. Building it up, ignoring it, and refusing to acknowledge it will have your physical body HEAVY. Ways to emotionally rest:

Crying. We all can cry. It's so healthy. Find a way to get some tears out if needed. 

Journaling. Write it out. Don't know what to say? Try some prompts. 

Therapy. TALK TO SOMEONE. My stance is always going to be, we all need therapy. The world is too f*cked up for us not to need it. Message me if you want help finding someone to talk to, I'll help you search. 

Healthy Emotional Expression. Tell folks how you feel. Obviously in the healthiest way you know how to. Your boss. Your partner. Your family. Release it. Free yourself. 

PSYCHOSOCIAL REST 

We live in a world with other people and we all crave connection. Connection with other people can be needed especially when it's been a while OR if too much, can be the reason we feel drained. Ways to instill psychosocial rest: 

Hugs. Yo, hug someone. Tell someone you need a hug. Hug your kids. 

Solitude. Sometimes too much of other's energy can affect us. Can suck up our energy. We can use being in social settings as an escape. If that's the case, find space to be with your own energy. Take yourself on a date. Detox from people. 

Social Connection. If you need it though, go be around people! Go to church. Go to yoga. Go sit in a coffee shop. Go sit in the park and people watch. 

Boundaries. As you are dealing in your interpersonal relationships, evaluate if some of those dynamics are draining you and adjust accordingly. Find the courage to instill boundaries with folks, even those closest to you. 

All I'm saying is, you can practice rest PROACTIVELY or you can forever play catch up in a REACTIVE state.

Try to layer in something in some of all of these categories this week. REST. 

SHANI