When was the last time you had a whole entire day off? No to-do list, no popping out for this that or the other: just time to stop and rest.
In a survey conducted by bustle.com, it has been revealed that 68% of people feel like they need more rest… so why aren’t we making time for it?
TinyBudda.com says that we don’t like taking time for ourselves as it feels selfish when really it is the best thing we can do for our bodies and minds:
“Sometimes, when we’re feeling stressed and running around taking care of everybody else, the healthiest thing we can do is to stop and consider how we can take care of ourselves. While this seems obvious to some people, many of us struggle with the idea of putting ourselves first”
says Jo Richie for Tiny Budda.com
You may not think you need it, but neither did I until my body decided it for me… Hello Migraine
Originally I felt really guilty about taking time off and felt selfish to cancel plans but it gave me – well made me – time to really rest (and watch a lot of tv) which I felt all the better for.
It made me realise just how much time out (scheduled or unscheduled in my case), is so blooming important. ⠀
Even at a time in my life where I don’t feel my busiest, as I’m currently an unemployed graduate, I’m still working hard. And that’s because even without going physically to work/uni/school our brains and bodies are still working tirelessly to keep us alive and moving and thinking!!!
Yes I’m mostly thinking about getting a job , but I’m also having the everyday stresses and the occasional anxious blip.
✨I’m learning that just being alive entitles me to a rest day when I need it! ✨
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I’m by no means perfect at knowing when I need to take time to stop, but acknowledging that I need to take more time for myself is definitely the first step. This is something we all need to do more!
In all seriousness, if you don’t remember the last time you properly stopped, find time. Even just sat on my local beach talking rubbish at my friend for a couple hours just felt so revitalising.
Normally I go on walks to relax while waking, but even just plonking yourself down for any length of time and taking a break from your mind running 1000 miles an hour is such a relief too! ⠀⠀
Hiking used to be my main way to make time to rest- it sounds a little counter productive in that obviously hiking uses up energy but being in nature just ticks my boxes.
“Spending time around nature including trees, hills, flowers, fresh wind can make our mind feel relaxed.This is what hiking does. Hiking is not only about walking or climbing. It is about being out there in a natural environment and soaking it all in. This has a positive impact not just on our mind but our body as well.”
Says Ottawalife.com
Will and I made time to get out of our home town and stop, by going on a hike, in a new location.
I say ‘new’ with a pinch of salt as I spent a lot of my childhood in the Quantock’s in the summer holidays, but I don’t think I’ve actually been to the Great and Marrow Hills before so it was semi-new.
“Hiking not only calms and grounds us—relaxing both mind and body”
Says Mindful.org
We didn’t walk far and we took advantage of the good weather to just plonk ourselves on the ground and just take in the location and breathe in the fresh air — and watch the bees in the heather.
We came back feeling energised and refreshed — it really was that easy!
So if you can’t remember the last time you took a break within the last couple of weeks, move plans around and take some time for you. Whether you do it in front of the tv or out in the fresh air, do something self-care-ish to better your wellbeing. I promise you will feel better for it.
Thanks for reading, see you next week when you hopefully feel like you have a new lease of life after taking a break from everyday life x
Abi’s Life in Writing 