Page 28 - Issue 05 2nd edition
P. 28
Resting and relaxing is easier to talk writing, researching potential travel
about than to do, and yet it is a vital skill destinations, or reading.
in this fast-paced, “always on” world in
which we live. I’ve realised recently that I, Many of us find there are obstacles that
and many people I know, are aware we get in the way of resting and
need to rest and relax but don’t always recuperating. It can take a big effort to
know how to or even if we “deserve” to. step off the treadmill and slow down
Resting isn’t about deserving it or not, enough to realise we are getting
rather it is something we all need and overwhelmed. And the busier we are, the
something we can all have, even if we harder it is.
need support to find a way to it and a way
to make it work for us. At a concert I went We may ask ourselves questions like is
to recently, I heard a soprano sing: there time, are we worth it, is it more
important to do something for someone
O for the wings, for the wings of a dove! else, etc. We may feel that there is so
Far away, far away would I rove! much to do that it would be better to do
In the wilderness build me a nest something off our list rather than step
and remain there for ever at rest away and sit down for a while. How do we
manage to rest so it doesn’t become just
The words really spoke to me, and I another thing to tick off our to-do list?
realised that I had a longing for a nest of
my own—a place where I could rest, The first thing we need to do is recognise
relax, and recuperate. The truth is that we when we need a break. What are the
can all find this place because it is inside signals that we are getting overloaded? If
us. But seeking it out, fully inhabiting it, we can learn to recognise our own
and allowing ourselves to rest there is not particular cries for help and listen to
easy, especially as resting means different them, then we can begin to work out what
thing to different people. It may mean it is we need.
spending time with no or reduced sensory
input—time away from phones, TV, the Taking a moment to sit still and tune in to
Internet, or even other people. Or it may yourself can be very powerful. Start by
mean time to allow things to settle, to asking, “What do I need to do for myself
allow answers to emerge, and to allow right now?” Choose something that allows
ourselves to reset and recalibrate—to slow a fresh breeze to blow through your tired,
down our minds and process what is overloaded, and stagnated mind. Expand
already there without adding more. your awareness in the moment so that
you get some perspective and can see
For some people it means time to sleep, more clearly and respond to whatever
for others time in nature, time to read, or comes up. And if you are not sure what to
time to listen to music as an activity in do, then dare yourself to just sit and see
itself. I once made a list of things I could what happens.
do to switch off, which included baking,
running, colouring or drawing, knitting,
28 The Childless Not By Choice Magazine: Sept/Oct 2018 Issue #05
