Mindful Rest

Do you count down the minutes until the opportunity arrives to rest?

Whether it’s 10 minutes at lunchtime for a blissful moment or when you crawl between the sheets at the end of the day. It’s a sigh of relief for me as I shut my eyes and embrace the day being over.

As you adjust to your new setting, your mental body reminds you… of all of the things you have to do tomorrow.

Just when you finally sit down… anxiety might swirl in your gut, spreading out from your stomach and making your pulse race. What feeds the cycle of dread for you, I wonder. It’s different for everyone. And more importantly, what can we do to allow ourselves to rest?

What does it mean to rest mindfully?

Simply put, it's setting intentions.

Even if it means scheduling an hour for yourself when you know you will have the quiet and opportunity to set an intention to rest. Set yourself up for success.

Sleep does not always equal rest. While sleeping, our subconscious activities can be running in the background, which is not rest, and probably why you might feel drained after waking up in the morning… even after a full night's sleep.

Our brain sends our emotional, mental, and physical body messages that we still have an endless list of tasks to get through. Our body decides it wants to get those things done even when it’s time to sleep.

You make appointments and schedule things for your children, pets, career, and loved ones. How often do you block off an hour just for you? Set intentions to hold a sacred space for yourself to bask in the rest that you so desperately need and deserve

When we set ourselves as a priority (as we do everyone else), the world around us will begin to mirror this.

Instead of the never-ending task list, you’re telling yourself that it is safe and acceptable to slow down now.

Ultimately, you’re giving yourself the love that you require to be able to navigate.

Restful activities for you may include:

• Drawing

• Writing poetry

• Journaling

• Drinking tea

• Listening to soft music

When you begin this intentional rest, you may notice your mind will not shut off. This can feel defeating AF, but stick with it! I promise it gets easier.

Imagine you are in a whirlpool and going in the same direction, in this case, overthinking, planning, anxiety, etc. Then, you decide to go the other way. You will feel the current going against your body. Soon, things shift, and momentum starts to go in your chosen direction.

It may take asking for help and getting others on board to go in a new direction.

Our bodies and minds sometimes need time to catch up and adjust to what we intend to change.

Society demands we run on autopilot. Wake up, go to work, come home, repeat.

We are nature. Not machinery.

The hustle and grind during this time of year goes against our natural cycles. It is no wonder that humans feel depleted.

Growing up immeshed in a state of rush, as so many of us are today, I became attracted to hobbies and a career where I could, quite literally, feel the rush.

With a prolonged mindset, patterns of pushing through, and a mentality of “if it isn’t hard, it isn’t worth it,” I continued the fast life.

Until I learned I didn’t have to.

You can decide to shift and move through this world however you choose.

During the Winter months, instinctively, our bodies know when it’s time to slow down and embrace the solace within. Let the current that calls to your soul carry you.

May you find a pace that brings peace to your spirit.

With love,

Lindsay

P.S. go take a nap.