Make Space For Rest and Wellness
Rest will look different for all of us. For some, rest is as basic as taking a nap. For others, it may mean reading a good book, sitting in stillness, or reconnecting with close friends.
I don’t believe the idea of rest is off-putting, but rather I suspect that the concept of slowing down can make some of us uncomfortable. And this is what has been forced upon us this past year. We have been forced to slow down and change our habits, and surely this has created a simmering discomfort in our society. For some, feelings of anxiety and depression have increased as we tried to make sense of these forced changes. It has been a challenging time for all of us.
Have you noticed a change in how you take care of your own wellness in times of chaos?
I often ask myself, what do I need at this moment, and how can I motivate others to ask the same question?
Here’s a start… I made a list of wellness ideas that make sense to me. Notice that these are actionable ideas. Sometimes it is tempting to make moments of self-care a form of disengaging or numbing (which are lovely at times), but I am thinking of actions that will truly lift my spirit and wellness beyond the moment. Take a look, and hopefully be inspired to create a plan to incorporate some of your own ideas into the week ahead.
Ways To Increase a Sense of Wellness
reduce sugar intake
cook whole foods
drink more water
eliminate or decrease alcohol intake
prioritize deep and restful sleep
create a rhythm to your day that promotes good sleep at night (get sun on your face, avoid caffeine late in the day, turn off your screens at night, dim the lights as the evening sets in, create a “mind-dump” list before bed)
schedule that doctor or dentist appointment that you may have been avoiding
connect with the people in your life that fill you up rather than deplete you
spend time on a hobby that is enjoyable for you
schedule your work week with blocks of wellness
create movement breaks throughout your day
spend time outdoors every day
curate your news and social media
check in with yourself and ask, “how am I doing?”
