Rest

The older I get the more I see just how important self care is. It's so easy to tell someone else to take a break and rest but we don't even take our own advice.Disclaimer this is a recycled post from an old blog. In order to rest, I'm calling it an early night. Even though it's not that early. 🙄😒✌🏾I'm sure you can easily think if all the other things that need to be done. The laundry, and dry cleaning, grocery shopping, cleaning the car - one thing I can promise you, that list will never end only get longer in time.  I'm going to share some ideas one what you can do to take better care of you. A relaxing go bath/shower. Book and some wine. Hand lettering and some wine. We must learn to make rest intentional. While you may have a set routine and not want to stray away from it, not doing so will allow room for burnout to easily creep in. In the similar way you make time to hand letter, it's also important to make time to rest. Think of it as a treat for all your hard work. For myself it's hard to feel that I deserve to rest. There's always something that needs to be done, an errand that needs to be run, or someone that needs help. Often times I choose to deny myself the rest needed and put myself out there to help someone else.The importance of rest:As humans we undeniably need it. We are limited beings who need the recharge. Resting helps in rejuvinating your mind and you body. It helps to regulate your mood and is linked to learning and memory function. We need those memory functions when practicing lettering. On the other hand, not getting enough rest can negatively affect your mood, immune system, memory, and stress level. A lack of sleep and rest can not only dull and mute some of our more positive traits and tendencies, but handicap them entirely. Know that the rest is needed so that you can better perform; even in hand lettering. It's good for clearing out your thoughts and to reset. Think about it, typically we work five to six days a week. Here in America, many people work 9-5 monday through Friday and rest on the weekends. Usually that weekend time is used for whatever you didn't accomplish during the week. How to be intentional with your rest: Similarily with a workout routine, there's always a rest day. You need to give your body and muscles time to heal. Here's what you can do: * schedule it in your calendar: Just like a doctors appointment, car check ups and anything else you find of high importance you put it in your calendar. Schedule a rest day in your calendar. * Follow a routine. Rather than waking up and immediately jumping into the day at high-speed, or vice-versa when going to bed, follow a routine that allows you time to transition from one part of the day into the next. For example, consider waking up 10 minutes earlier and before checking in on your cell phone for social media updates, take the time to do some simple stretches. * Give your mind a break. Resting and relaxation isn’t only about resting your body—resting your mind is just as important. If you struggle with constantly worrying or stressing about certain concerns, write it down, and put the list away. It helps in clearing the relentless thoughts. Sometimes when we give our mind a break from certain thoughts, we return with greater clarity. Consider participating in an activity that requires your full attention, such as playing an intramural team sport. This type of activity can give you a mental break by requiring you to be fully ‘in the moment’ both physically and mentally—leaving little time to think about your unending to-do list.I want to challenge you to be intentional in your rest. Even if it's for a day. What to do when you rest: A relaxing bath/shower. Read a book and some wine. Paint something.Sleep/Daydream Absolutely nothing. Maybe some sleep. Without the proper rest we are unable to be our best in our work. I want to know what other ways do you choose to rest? What technique should I try?