Sweat & Smiles: Why Rest is as Important as Work
By Melissa Romano on November 28, 2020 from Sweat & Smiles
It’s not “okay” to rest. It’s not “okay” to take a nap. It’s not “okay” to skip out on some things. It’s not “okay” to tell people no, to take on less work, or to ask for help. It’s not “okay” because it’s much more than that… it’s necessary.
We’ve become a culture of human doings in lieu of human beings. Stop telling yourself and others it’s okay as if it’s only okay every now and then; as if it’s okay to rest once you’ve completed exhausted and overworked yourself. The rest is just as important as the work, the rest is just as important as the play. Rest, work, and play.. the other holy trinity. Each sacred in its own way, none more important or valued than the other.
Vacations, days off, and any form of rest are still considered indulgences - even in the face of a culture of struggling people who are forewarned about the dangers of prioritizing work over rest. As we are currently working and living through a pandemic it stands to reason that now, more than ever, we should be focusing on building a healthy immune system. Sleep boosts your immune system, keeping viruses at bay. Sleep improves your memory, restores and energizes your body, and even aids us in healthy weight management. Rest stimulates creativity and supports our mental and emotional health.
In a culture that obsesses over our physical bodies we have a tendency to forget that adequate rest is a vital component in building muscle, weight management, and injury prevention. We’ve come to believe soreness is our goal, our measurement of success with physical activity. Soreness is often an indicator that we’ve gone too far, too fast. In fact, research has shown that it can take up to three days - 72 hours - between strength training sessions for full muscle recovery. It’s not just “a” rest day that’s needed, but a balance of rest and work.
And the mind, ah the mind. When describing our overworked minds to clients I use the analogy of computers. You open up your internet browser and open a tab for each person in your life, at least 10 browsers per kid, a browser for each responsibility at home, and each responsibility for home. And on and on. Do you know what happens if you open too many browsers on your computer? It runs slower, you can’t tell where the music is coming from, and eventually it shuts down completely. We’ve reached a point in society that our minds are running primarily in our Default Mode Network (the monkey mind that jumps around) and very little consciously (even if we are technically awake).
And finally, the nervous system. Our autonomic nervous system (breathing, heart beating, swallowing, etc) has two parts, the parasympathetic (rest and digest) and the sympathetic (fight or flight). The fight or flight response was intricately designed to aid us in life. Aid us in situations like being chased by a bear or if we’re in immediate or imminent danger. The problem is, most of us are living in this state for the majority of everyday. This means down to our nervous systems, we’re not getting rest. A nervous system without enough time in the parasympathetic response is not getting adequate digestion, heart rate regulation, regulating breath, liver, blood vessels, uterus, and urinary system.
To begin the process of equaling the playing field of rest, work, and play we’ve got to change our perspective and how we discuss these topics. Instead of saying it’s okay to rest, say it is necessary, it is important, it is vital. Then, it takes practice. In order to rest our bodies, minds, and nervous systems we’re going to have to actively practice doing just that. That doesn’t mean just plopping down on the couch when you’re exhausted at 10 p.m. and scrolling your phone (no judgement!). Practicing rest means beginning a daily meditation practice.
Practicing rest means saying no to things regularly. Practicing rest means putting the phone, tv, and electronics to bed an hour before you yourself head to bed. Practicing rest means journaling to get some of those tabs out of your head and on to paper. Practicing rest means asking for help. Practicing rest means prioritizing it with the rest of your basic needs.
As you move through this holiday season don’t spend it getting by waiting for the new year to make changes. Use the time to begin these active practices. Use the time to focus on the other holy trinity: rest, work, and play. Making each sacred in its own way, none more important or valued than the other.
With rest, work, and play,
Melissa
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