For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope you enjoyed the day. For those who celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, enjoy the continued celebrations. The days after Christmas as we move forward to celebrate the New Year can be interesting. There’s this rush leading up to the day itself. Then the day comes and goes too fast. Next, you go back to reality. This reality can be for the better or it can take a toll on you. For myself, this time, that I will refer to as the after party includes getting lots of rest and nurturing my mind mentally before the new year. Being that I work with children full-time, I’m fortunate to have a few days off that allows me to do so.
The idea of rest being the after party is something to think about. The benefits of rest are as follows…
- Restoration of your body’s energy
- Repairs the bad tissues of the body as our cells actively work.
- Improved mental wellness
- Improved mood
- Reduction in cardiovascular problems
- Reduction in digestive issues
- Improved sexual desire
- Reduction in muscle aches/tension
The ways in which to practice look different for everyone. It’s about reducing the stress on the brain. Our brains are constantly working to help us in our day to day, but it is our job to make sure we don’t overwork it. Knowing when rest is needed should be considered. Here are some ways to join the after party of rest…
- Taking a break from technology (reduce notification alerts, turn the phone volume down for a few minutes, etc.)
- Taking naps or increasing the number of hours of sleep per night
- Create boundaries (ex: if someone invites you to a party, be honest if you are too tired to go; only you have control over how you will use your time each day.
- Sitting or taking a walk in a park/nature
- Participating in an activity/hobby that allows you temporarily escape from the day to day stress.
- Meditation (closing your eyes for a few minutes, listening to guided speech, etc.)
- Essential oils or candles that sets the aroma for your needs.
- Listening to music that calms you
So, the after-party for Christmas is here. I chose rest, how would you choose to move forward?