The Need for Deep, Deep Rest

We need to plan time for deep rest, we need to reframe our time out and see it as vital for our wellbeing. 

For example, we can think of being kept waiting in a queue as a positive opportunity to relax rather than an inconvenience. Even taking 30 sec pauses to breathe slowly can help to give us some respite, which is why we recommend those micro breaks during the day. 

Deep rest is your superpower 

Putting rest breaks in your diary and making them a priority can be helpful, we recommend 15 mins per day, maybe taking a full body scan because these give us the type of deep constructive rest that we need. It puts the brain into a more relaxing functioning switches off the stress response. 

Deep rest helps us to become less future focused and gives us space to be more embodied and less fearful. If we are overwhelmed by a task it is always better to walk away and give ourselves some space and rest. Then when we come back to it later, we will find it easier and do it more effectively. It is good to incorporate some gentle yoga stretches, a 5 min mediation or savasana ( a lying down, deep relaxation posture ) into our daily routines, as these are also restful ( as long as we don’t make them into more ‘doings’ ). Reading a gentle book that isn’t too exciting, watching half an hr of mindless TV and just gazing out of the window are also constructive distractions, which makes them restful. Helpful relaxation allows the mind to rest properly from worry and overthinking as it regroups and restores. 

 Set an intention 

If you want a peaceful and happier mind your intention is -  less is more - keep it simple.

We all know, deep down, that a simpler way of being makes sense. An uncomplicated life with the right balance of work, play and a little challenge for stimulation keeps us clam and gives us less to worry about. It means that we don’t have to work so hard and use up so much time supporting a draining lifestyle. 

One of the most positive changes anyone can undertake is to make life as uncluttered as possible. The less we have, the less we have to look after or worry about and the less energy is spent on thinking about all the ‘stuff’ we have to store, maintain, clean or insure. Keeping our life simple takes nothing away from us but enables us to spend more time with ourselves in silence or giving our full attention to those we love. It also enables us to take pleasure in the peace of our unchanging and authentic being. For this to happen it is helpful to set up new, healthy patterns of behaviour.