Rest

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down. 

 ~Lily Tomlin

In our world today we are all busy, too busy. Just the simple tasks of trying to balance work, mindful eating, healthy exercise, family, friends, fun and that doesn’t even count one of the most important - sleep.

Personally, I find myself struggling to get it all done. And even though I try my best to get 8 hours of sleep, sometimes that just doesn’t happen and sometimes even if it does I am still tired. Stress takes a toll on us; hard work and exercise causes us to need rest and some days or weeks we require  more of it.

Last week, I rolled out my mat for a much needed home practice since I missed a yoga class that is normally on my schedule due to the demands of my work. I was excited to practice and I’d looked forward to it all day. About 2 poses into the practice after seated meditation I found myself wanting to go back to the meditation – to just be in stillness and at peace for few moments more (until I felt like being done) -it sure feels great to slow down for a change. But, then afterwards I realized I was tired, really tired. It was then that I realized I’d felt this way all day, but I pushed through it.  

Sitting in silence and at peace will do wonders for us, we see and learn things about ourselves that we normally are too busy to see and hear. In meditation, things are revealed to us. They just come… though it’s difficult to explain it’s the silence that does it.

Many people drink coffee and energy drinks to boost their energy – not me – I just feel the tired feeling. My philosophy is that if I do take caffeine and other supplements to boost my energy, when I am actually able to sleep I won’t be tired. Ingesting things to give your energy just puts your body in a state of negative balance. You borrow energy that you don’t have, rather than honoring your body.

So I decided to take a nap even though by that time I only had about 30 minutes to do so before I had to head off to teach a yoga class. But, I figured 30 minutes was better than nothing, even if it turned into a mini – Yoga Nidra/long Savasana it was some sort of rest. I set my alarm to wake me up and laid down. I immediately fell asleep. The alarm went off and I got up and boy did I feel good. Oh so good;  I had energy, I had my brain back in one place – not scattered all over and drained down. Simply put,  I felt better.  

Remembering this whenever I am tired, drained and need a moment, I either meditate (just sitting for as long as I like) and if after that I find I am tired then no matter how much time I have, I rest.

How do you rest, really rest? And no watching television (being entertained doesn’t count)!

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.  ~Ovid