Time is precious. Waste it wisely.

Rest. I hate resting. I like to use my time constructively; to always be doing something that is productive and that gets me somewhere. To me, having a nap is wasting time. I get restless, resting. In fact, I rarely rest and then I burn out. I end up with tonsillitis, conjunctivitis and feeling constantly tired, having achy and weary legs every time I ski (increasing the risk of injury), becoming even more grumpy and irritable, having another outbreak of Pityriasis Rosea (google it – it’s delightful) and becoming an unhealthy being. The complete opposite of what I want to be. Surely I should have learnt that resting is not wasting time? Nope.

The benefits of resting:

It makes me less grumpy

It makes me less irritable

It makes me have limbs that ache less

It makes me feel less tired

It makes me stronger to fight any illness ending in –itis

 

It allows me to have the energy to keep going

It allows my body and mind to recover and get stronger

It allows me to have a renewed sense of purpose and perspective on what I am doing, feeling refreshed and motivated

 

It would clearly be wise to rest more then.

A few times over the past few weeks I have craved crawling into bed and having a nap. I have achieved this once or twice and, surprisingly I haven’t felt guilty. Not feeling guilty must mean I have needed it.

When I am run down, my immune system is also weaker and I only need to ‘catch a chill’, drink one too many beers, eat badly for a few days and BOOM, my body rebels and I end up struggling to get back on track. I only have myself to blame.

Taking time out more regularly might prevent me from crashing and burning in such style all at once. I get stressed easily and making a few small changes in my daily routine might help. Here are a few ways I already try and release stress and a few habits I want to include to rest and recover a little more each day:

• A few deep breaths during the day – anytime, anywhere to feel grounded and to appreciate where I am and what I am doing right here and now.

• To sit down or lie down more often, and not always in front of my laptop.

• The above could be included with meditation. I did the 10-day Headspace trial using the App on my phone. You take 10 minutes out each day to be mindful. It was a challenge for me to sit still but I was patient enough and I did complete the trial (maybe over 2 weeks and not every day for 10 days straight…) I will enrol onto another programme. Andy Puddicombe is the founder and for me has a very calming voice and sensible outlook on being mindful.

• To keep writing my ‘to do’ lists. It takes pressure off my memory, makes me prioritise things I want to do and put things in perspective. It’s also really satisfying to cross things off once they are done.

• Read before going to sleep to help switch my mind off, something for my enjoyment and not to just send me to sleep, unless of course I just pass out.

• Every morning I do some core exercises/rotator cuff exercises/some form of resistance training and stretching to wake myself up. I enjoy it and find it relaxing, too. It’s time for myself. All exercise and sport I do, I enjoy. However, I need to acknowledge signs from body when I am pushing myself too much and it’s becoming a stress and my body is rebelling, when pushing myself is no longer satisfying and I am no longer progressing or improving, becoming frustrated and worn down. Having a physical rest is important. I need to understand that. I know what it feels like to go for a refreshed run, swim or ski and to do it well and even better than before because I am full of energy and strong.

• A change is as a good as a rest. Doing different things is just as important and a productive way of resting and recharging, especially for the mind.

 

Rest and recovery is all part of striking a healthy balance in life and that should not be considered as a waste of time. Some people are really good at resting and not doing much, sometimes too much so. However, if I don’t do all the things I hope to do that I have listed above, then that shouldn’t be a problem, but to do something each day in aid of preventing a wipe out is a good start.

Apparently I used to bounce up and down on my parents’ bed in the morning, around 6 am, after they had closed their restaurant around 1 am, inquiring as to what we were going to do that day. Clearly that small energetic child inside me still needs calming down.