Resting in December? Are you kidding? There’s too much to do! Writing Christmas cards, buying presents, going to nativity plays. And all on top of work, raising children, managing relationships and endless cooking.
Image by Kaboo Mpics – Pixabay
But if you don’t want to end up in a collapsed heap by New Year, rest is essential.
Interestingly, there are seven different types of rest: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, sensory, social and creative.
Physical rest centres around sleep, with the addition of naps and holidays, along with gentle exercise such as chi gong, yoga and stretching.
Image by Pxel Photographer – Pixabay
Emotional rest means finding moments to acknowledge our feelings and then sitting with them until they pass through and out of us. It can include crying and self-expression.
Mental rest is what I call Modging – an entirely made-up word which has become a vital part of my vocabulary. Modging includes ambling without purpose, being mindful and staring into space.
Spiritual rest means finding joy and play through being light rather than serious. It leads us to understanding that there is something greater than us that is holding us and so we can learn to rest in trust that everything will be okay.
Sensory rest is a break from the over stimulation which so easily leads to overwhelm. The best rest here is a rest from our phones and electronic devices and going for a walk in nature.
Social rest means stopping work and duties and meeting with friends. It can also mean asking for help from them if we need to.
Creative rest is all about play. Have fun, jump in puddles, build sandcastles and mud pies. Doing something you know you’ll be bad at and laughing because of the relief of not having to achieve something.
Image by Vika Glitter – Pixabay
The theory is that, if we engage in a little rest from all of these every day, we will remain happy and healthy.
We are approaching the midwinter solstice in the northern hemisphere, there are many celebrations acknowledging the return of light.
So, whether you are celebrating Diwali, St Lucy’s Day in Scandinavia, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa for African American culture, New Year, Epiphany or any other cultural festival, balance the dark with the light by resting and enjoying in equal measure.
Have a fabulous time!
Image by Quince Creative – Pixabay
