I don’t think it’s a surprise that down time is challenging for a lot of people – what if we stopped acting like it’s just a simple thing to do? Rest requires practice. What if we could make sitting down to do nothing… easier?
Most of us has been there: we’re trying to wind down at the end of a day and we’re just unable to shut off. (I’m guilty of googling “how can I rest my brain?”) Or we want to transition from work mode to family mode and we’re stuck in a different gear. Or you’re finally on vacation, and you have trouble getting your brain into vacation mode. Or you’ve hit retirement and are stuck thinking: okay, but how do I actually DO retirement?
The best way to make it easier to recharge and relax? Practice in your daily life.
Small Steps to Practice Rest and Relaxation
Here’s what I’m doing to practice down-shifting in small doses:
- I practice rest by sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee before pulling out my notebook or my computer. I sit. Sometimes the dog gets a puppy massage.
- I practice rest by going on runs and walks without a podcast, audiobook, or music. While I love listening to things, it’s also a great time to go out there and listen to your own body and the sounds of nature.
- I practice rest by sitting in front of a work of art – an exercise I learned in school – for an extended period of time to notice things.
What if I don’t want to unplug?
In an ideal world, we’d rest without technology attached to ourselves at every moment. But if resting without a device in hand is a level two challenge, there’s no shame in resting with technology.
- I practice rest by watching movies without scrolling on my phone. If you can’t sit in silence in your own head, or meditate, start SMALL. I watch movies as rest – with the caveat that I’m actively not scrolling my phone at the same time. I allow myself: IMDB (it does enhance my movie-watching experience). I also allow myself to take notes – sometimes
- I practice rest by going on photo walks with my phone, slowing down to notice flowers in the neighborhood. (Also, BIRDS!)
- I practice rest by taking meditation and mindful movement classes on Ompractice! we have mindful moments that you can do in just a few minutes a day. We also have iRest Meditation, a type of body scan practice that allows you to practice consciously shifting and prepare your body for rest (or sleep.)
What if we just acknowledge that REST is hard to do?
- Release the notion that rest has to look a certain way: any rest is valid.
- Find the time you have to rest: if you don’t have an hour, try ten minutes -> If you don’t have ten minutes, take a minute -> If you don’t have a minute: take a breath → if a breath feels difficult, try a thought.
How do you practice rest? Share your tips and experiences in our community group and join the conversation on making downtime easier. Join us in the community group to share your best ways to rest!
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