February 18, 2009 | In: Productivity
Rest – Apparently We Need It
Photo by {tribal} photography
Well hello there friends!!
If you follow my Twitter posts, you might know that I’ve been a bit under the weather. The allergies that started in January turned into bronchitis and this past weekend I was just wiped out.
Apparently, staying up late(ish) and getting up at 5:30am to train for a half marathon isn’t helpful when attempting to recover from a respiratory sickness.
So, this weekend I had to do the one thing I’m especially terrible at….rest.
I Stink At Resting
I’m good at pushing myself, being disciplined and working hard. I take regular retreats (and cram them with tasks and projects), but I’m terrible at resting – truly resting.
I love planning, accomplishing and checking things off my to do list. In fact, I often put things on my list AFTER I’ve accomplished them – simply for the satisfaction of checking them off. (Sick, I know.) So the idea of intentionally doing nothing sounds a bit like torture to me.
My Husband Rocks
But this weekend I couldn’t ignore my body or my husband. I felt terrible and Jimmy sent me to my room to “sleep or play on the computer or do whatever you need to rest.” He took care of the kids ALL weekend.
After 2 days of serious sleep and movie watching, it was amazing how much better I felt. And I really enjoyed just laying in bed (while the sun was up!) and listening to the birds and not doing anything in particular.
By the time Monday rolled around I felt physically and emotionally refreshed.
I’m starting to think God had a good idea with the whole Sabbath thing…
Your Turn
Is resting easy or hard for you? Do you take time to intentionally rest? How?
5 Responses to Rest – Apparently We Need It
Kristin
February 19th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I am a lot like you in this way, I usually feel better, (mentally) if instead of resting I’m doing something that i feel is productive, but it does catch up with me physically and emotionally, and I don’t operate well when I am tired.
I make myself relax on Sundays. After we get home from church, it’s time to read and relax, and play with the kids, nap if I feel like it. I don’t do dishes, (mostly) I don’t do laundry, I do things that I want to do. I usually prepare for Sundays on Saturdays, and make up for Sundays on Mondays, but it is really worth the rest, and I am usually supercharged on Mondays!
crumbsonmyfloor
February 19th, 2009 at 9:07 am
I am waiting to have a surgery on a torn ACL and Meniscus in my left knee. I also have a healing left broken arm. All this from playing volleyball!
I know I will need rest to recover but with 5 kids and 3 of them homeschooling…rest will be hard.
Take care,
Amy
Sarah Chia
February 19th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I tend to be fairly laid back in normal day-to-day life, but I don’t often take intentional time to rest. Sometimes, because I’m not as busy as a lot of people I know, I just never about needing a day off.
But like you, I’ve gotten sick, so this week has been lazy. I’ve been taking naps when the baby takes naps, taking NyQuil at night to sleep deeper, etc.
euphrony
February 19th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I crave my rest time. At least once a month I’ll take a night and after helping get the kids in bed I’ll go by myself to see a movie or shoot some pool. The cinema is less smokey, so it wins out a lot. I just have to have time to myself, not thinking about any of the stuff go on and relaxing; if I don’t get this time I get irritable. On a more regular basis, this is why I like to read. Not books that fit into some overall theme of self-growth, but just random junk.
Glad you’re feeling a little better. It’s been a long week for me and diseases, as well.
Kat
February 19th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Kristin,
Hmmm…you’ve inspired me to try really make Sundays a day of rest.
Amy,
Wow!!! Yes, rest will be very hard to come by. I’m sure you’ll have to get quite creative. I hope everything heals quickly and thoroughly!
Sarah Chia,
Sleeping when the baby sleeps – that’s definitely something I wish I’d done more. I hope you get better soon.
E,
You have some serious sickness at your house. Not fun.
You know, I’ve never been to a movie by myself? I’ll have to try that sometime.
May diseases stay far away from you for a long time…