By ena ganguly
It’s the new year. A brand new opportunity to (re)commit to the things that makes us feel better and do better. If you were to make a list of goals for this year right now would resting be on that list?
Considering all that we experienced last year, and are no doubt continuing to experience this year, the reality is, we will run ourselves to the ground if we continue to set expectations for ourselves while we try to survive a pandemic.
Here are some ways to rest in the new year:
Unplug
As much as social media can be a place of connection it can also be a real drain and distraction. Consider being deliberate about not getting on social media by not getting on a screen at all or watching television, playing video games without your phone nearby. Some people even take social media breaks, letting their followers and networks know, before going cold turkey for a few days or weeks.
If you’re someone who likes to observe or write, consider even keeping a log and making notes as you go deeper into a social media break to see what comes up.
Quiet Time
At the beginning or end of the day, try to practice being quiet and being in a quiet room or space. Not just quite as it relates to external sound, but also to internal silence. If you don’t have the time to lay down or sit down somewhere, you can do so while taking a shower, putting on your clothes for the day, as you prepare to get into bed, or any time that is most convenient for you. You can even make a hot drink like tea and simply sit somewhere cozy and drink in silence. The best part about this is that you can do this anywhere and at any time.
Build into your routine so there’s no way you will forget or stop doing it. Try to see what comes out of this time that you spend in silence. Maybe you journal, or simply observe what comes up for you.
Schedule in Rest
It sounds silly, but think about it. Don’t you schedule a bunch of meetings, calls, and appointments on a daily basis? You should be able to schedule your rest as well. Work with what you got!
If your schedule is packed all week, that’s a sign. You can’t even take a twenty-minute break during your work schedule, that’s a sign. It’s a sign that you’re running yourself to the ground. Take the time to rest during your work day. This can look like doing some mindful breathing, gentle stretches, or calling someone to talk to them.
Ultimately, you have the choice whether or not to rest more this year or not. We all survived a lot in 2020, so I believe we owe self-compassion and gentleness to ourselves and our bodies as we venture into 2021. I hope my tips allow you to start thinking critically about how to rest moving forward. I wish you nothing but rest, peace, and grounding in this new year.
How have you been resting? Share with us on social media using @allqoqpoc!
