We All Need To Take Some Time Off From Our Busy World
Why are rest days important? First, rest days help us recoup and regroup; we can start again feeling refreshed with better focus. Rest is needed for a healthy immune system. With all the stress and anxiety going on in the world lately, we all need an outlet to lower our stress levels. Therefore, taking some time out for ourselves can do wonders for a healthy mind and body. As a result, our production levels went up, our mood changed for the better, and we were ready to take on the world again.
Years ago, many communities practically shut down or slowed their pace once a week. So why are rest days important? Because today, you may feel tired and overwhelmed because your weekends are just as busy as the rest of your week.
Create your rituals to help you deal with stress and accomplish your goals. Start with these tips for designing a weekly day of rest.
Benefits of a Weekly Rest Day:
- Strengthen your immune system. Adequate rest and sleep reduce inflammation and other effects of chronic stress. That can lower your risk for heart conditions and other issues. In addition, sleep is essential, so your body can produce sufficient numbers of immune cells called cytokines.
Many Individuals Suffer From Insomnia
- Many people suffer from insomnia; they can’t seem to shut their racing minds off once they hit the bed to sleep. Insomnia happens even when they are so tired that they can’t keep their eyes open before they hit the bed. Their bodies are so exhausted and need rest, as does their mind, but they can’t seem to turn off their busy mind. Suffering from insomnia is not a healthy state of being to be suffering.
- Manage your weight. Relaxing also causes hormonal changes that help fight weight gain. However, remember that you still need to eat healthier and exercise.
- Gain more energy. Are you feeling sluggish, overwhelmed, and drained? Refresh yourself with regular breaks instead of consuming too much caffeine.
- Increase productivity. Numerous studies show that excess overtime lowers productivity. Leisure time is essential for safeguarding your mental and physical capabilities.
- Enjoy life more. You’ll feel more alive after you take a day off. Return to your routines with less stress and more enthusiasm.
What To Do On Rest Days
- Eat breakfast. Start your day with a nutritious meal like an omelet with vegetables or a bean burrito. Then, keep your menu for the rest of the day simple unless you enjoy spending time in the kitchen.
- Take a nap. One out of three adults is sleep-deprived, according to the Centers for Disease Control. So catch up with a nap if it doesn’t disrupt your nighttime sleep. Generally, lie down around noon for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Play around. Low-intensity exercise is excellent for a day of active rest. Do something fun like riding your bike or playing bocce ball in your backyard.
- Go outside. Enjoy anything that takes you outdoors to appreciate nature. Walking in nature is one of the most healing things we can do for ourselves. There is no resistance in nature; the natural energy in nature will re-energy your body. Walking barefoot in the grass or sitting or lying on the ground will do wonders for your stress levels and health. Do some light work in your garden. Watch the ducks swimming at your local park. Sit on your patio and sip a glass of iced tea.
- Express your creativity. Relaxation sets your imagination free. Write a short story or draw a picture. Make popsicle stick crafts with your kids or buy child and adult coloring books that you can work on side by side.
- Read a book. Settle down with an intriguing mystery or a classic novel. Then, expand your knowledge with a bestselling biography or history book.
- Listen to music. Play music in the background or close your eyes and give it your full attention. Enjoy your favorite genres, or try something new. Feel free to let your hair down and sing and dance along.
- Get a hobby. Work on your hobby or find a pastime that you’ll be able to develop over the years to challenge your skills or soothe your feelings. Pick something appropriate for your budget and interests.
- Connect with others. Hang out with family and friends. Depending on the conditions in your local area, set up a video call or eat outdoors at a restaurant with a great view. Of course, you could also stay home together and play board games.
- Meditate. Use your day of rest to nurture your spirituality. Engage in quiet contemplation. Find a quiet place to be, and focus on an object, such as a candle flame or your breath. You let the thoughts that come up flow out of your mind as you bring your focus back to your focus point.
How To Begin An Easy Relaxing Meditation?
- Begin by closing your eyes and taking some deep breaths through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel the tension leaving your body from head to toe as you relax more and more with each out-breath. Once you feel totally relaxed from head to toe, you can remain focused on your breath with your eyes closed but resume your breathing to its natural state. You may also open your eyes and focus on the candle flame with your breath returned to its natural state. Five to ten minutes will make a massive difference in how you feel in your body and mind.
- For best results, continue to take five minutes each day and do a meditation and witness how much your life changes for the better—nurturing your body by easing your nervous system, which it desperately needs, and giving your mind a much-needed break. Boosting your immune system and enhancing the calm within will reflect out into the environment of your outer world. Not only will you feel more relaxed and well, but the people around you will benefit also.
- Yoga is one of the best things you can do on a rest day. It’s excellent for improving body awareness, breathing, and flexibility. It also helps you build strength while loosening tight muscles. Tai Chi and Qigong are wonderful ways to get in touch with your body and the Qi energy that runs through and around your body; while it calms your overactive mind.
Yoga promotes calmness, leaving you refreshed and ready for the next workout. You don’t need much time to enjoy yoga’s benefits. A 10 to 15 minutes routine is all that is required. Remember, a little goes a long way.
Disengage from work and turn off your phone for a while. Treat your body and mind to a day of rest. Doing a minimum of one day a week could make the other six days much more rewarding.
How to Improve Yourself https://1111newme.com/2021/04/06/how-to-improve-yourself/