Our society has conditioned most of us to glorify busyness, equating it with success and fulfillment. This is one of the reasons why many of us feel guilty when we actually spend time for ourselves. Aside from this, it has become more and more difficult to find time for rest because we are constantly trying to meet other people’s expectations, fulfill obligations, and make enough money for our needs.
Thankfully, our body knows when it needs to rest. Therefore, it is important to learn how to listen to the cues. Make time for rest because it is necessary to avoid getting sick, stressed, or burned out. Aside from that, we can do our best work and perform our responsibilities better when we are well-rested. We can also show the world the best version of ourselves, leading to better relationships and a healthy state of mind.
According to Harvard Health, “neuroimaging and neurochemistry studies suggest that a good night’s sleep helps foster both mental and emotional resilience. On the other hand, chronic sleep disruptions set the stage for negative thinking and emotional vulnerability.” This clearly illustrates the relationship between rest and happiness.
Take the time to sit and rest even for a few minutes each day to restore energy and renew your inner light. Here is a list of restful things that you can do:
Practice daily meditation — it’s both relaxing and powerful
Do some yin exercises, like yoga and qi gong or tai chi
Do breathing exercises several times during the day
Have a relaxing bath or shower, followed by a light massage with essential oils
Practice gratitude, make it part of your daily devotion
Have tea, either alone or with a friend
Set aside some time to read every day
Indulge in alternative treatments like Ayurveda, acupuncture, hilot, and so on
Get enough rest, 8 hours if possible
Take a walk or do light exercises