In our fast paced culture, being busy is a mark of
success. But is it really? Being busy and on the go all the time can create
havoc on your physical bodies. Not getting the proper amounts of down time can
cause stress and a decrease in your immune system. If you are under any
additional stress in your life, then taking time to rest your body will be
essential; otherwise your body will cause you to rest.
If you have any chronic stress in your life, taking sufficient
times of rest can help rebuild your energy levels and aid in strengthening your
immune system. In our society we are not taught that rest is good, in fact, we
are encouraged to “burn the candle at both ends.” Life is short no matter how
many years that you live. You can work constantly and never take vacation time
and you can stay so busy with outside activities that the day is just a blur.
What’s the point in working so hard you can’t enjoy the simple things in life?
For more money, a better title/position, or to get the applaud of others? There
usually is a time in everyone’s life that you have to work hard such as when
you are in college and have to work full-time, and sometimes people have to
work two jobs because they are a single parent. I am not referring to people
who are in the “you gotta do what you gotta do,” phase in their life, but for
people who never, ever rest. Even when you are in a stage in your life that is
hectic, you can still carve sometime for rest. We all get time off, but many
use their time off unwisely by running and doing when they may need to rest.
Yes, there are times that you can “play hard,” just not when your body is
saying, “I feel tired.” Many push themselves and their limits and end up
getting sick.
Your life should be balanced. Equal amounts of time
for work, play and rest. Some days you may need a little more rest because of
persistent stressors that can exhaust your energy levels and diminish your
immune system’s ability to fight colds and viruses.
Reflect
and ponder: Do you push yourself to keep going and
doing when your body is telling you it needs rest? Why do you believe you feel
the need to keep going?
Counselor’s
Corner:
Your body will let you know when it needs
rest. If you have experienced several of the following, your body may be
saying, “Slow down.”
·
Fatigue. Difficulty getting up in the
morning
·
Difficulty staying or falling asleep
·
Difficulty concentrating
·
Distracted and lose of focus
·
Irritable, short-fused, or agitated
·
Upset stomach
·
Headaches
·
General malaise
·
Easily frustrated
·
Appetite changes-decrease or increase in
eating habits
·
Sighing frequently
·
Shortness of breath
·
Anxiousness
·
Depression
·
Loss of motivation
·
Lack of creativity
What can you do during your times of rest?
1. Turn
off your cell phone and check at the end of the day.
2. Do
not engage in social media. Checking your Facebook status will not cause you to
rest.
3. Lay
down and take a nap.
4. Watch
a movie that is enjoyable and eat your favorite snack.
5. Take
a warm bubble bath.
6. Take
a leisurely walk in your neighborhood.
7. Get
your chores out of the way so you don’t do any chores during your time of rest.
8. Read
a good book.
9. Spend
quiet time with God. Be still and listen for the Holy Spirit to speak.
10. Spend
time just “soaking” with worship music.
11. Sit
outside on observe God’s beautiful creations.
What not to do when your body needs rest:
1. Running
to and fro when your body is depleted.
2. Hanging
out with people who drain you.
3. Checking
your phone, texts, emails, and social media.
4. Doing
heavy chores or chores that take a while to complete.
5. Worrying
and analyzing your problems over and over.
6. Doing
anything that would cause stress.
MEDITATE
ON THESE SCRIPTURES:
He
makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
Psalm
23:2-3
By
the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh
day He rested from all His work.
Genesis
2:2-3
Then
because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a
chance to eat, He said to them,” Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place
and get some rest.”
Mark
6:31
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