What does it take to stay healthy and create wellness? Yes, diet is very important but there is more! Taking time to rest is SOOOOO important! And it’s something that many of us have neglected due the the “hustle” culture and the fast paced life that has become the norm for many.
This is especially true for women, and even more so for black women. Many of us have been taught to put everybody else’s needs before our own. I’ve been there myself. I see it frequently in my work with coaching clients.
Putting ourselves last gets in the way of us doing what we need to do to take better care of ourselves.
We are too exhausted to get the exercise we need. We pick up something quick to eat, rather than eating what we know makes us feel better. We don’t have the time or energy to do the things that fulfill us and bring us joy. These are just some of the ways we suffer.
It’s time to put and end to that and give yourself the chance to relax, restore and heal. You may well find you can even do more and do a better job of what you need to do by giving yourself the opportunity to rest adequately regularly. When you are well rested and restored you will be happier and be able to to take the time you need to properly care for yourself, to care for your loved ones, and to have a sharp mind for your work. Everybody wins.
Do you take time to rest? Or are you burning the candle at both ends, and in the middle too? If so, take time to reflect on the following:
How is this impacting you?
- Does your body ache because you’re sitting at a desk all day?
- Are you out of shape because you don’t have the time or energy to get exercise?
- Are you short-tempered and irritable?
- Do you make compromises on your diet because you are too exhausted to make healthy meals?
- Do you get sick more often?
- Are there things you long to do but you never seem to find the time or energy to do them?
- Are your relationships suffering?
- Is your work performance suffering because you are just to tired to care?
How can you make time in your day for rest? Can you:
- Delegate some tasks (meals, shopping, admin work) to someone else?
- Hire someone to help with household tasks?
- Request additional support at work (such as getting an assistant) to ease your load?
- Take your lunch/break times away from your desk/office/work and use for ME time?
- Just eliminate somethings from your schedule/to-do list all together?
- Create better boundaries and say “NO”!?
- Go to bed earlier?
- Start work later or stop earlier?
- What other ideas do you have?
What ways can you use that time to rest?
- Read a book
- Sit outside and enjoy nature
- Take a nap
- Get a massage
- Get up and walk around if you’ve been sitting all day
- Stretch
- Enjoy a leisurely meal
- What would feel most restful and rejuvenating to you?
- Take a vacation!! (I know a radical concept!)
Contrary to popular believe/culture, taking time for yourself to rest is not selfish. You do NOT have to be all things to all people. If you are feeling drained, stressed, anxious, exhausted, or overburdened this is your body letting you know you need to slow down and take time to nurture yourself.
I give you permission! Take it from me – You will be glad you did! (If you could use some support I’m here to help. Schedule a free session and lets talk about how working together can help you create a lifestyle that supports you in being your healthy best.)
I’m in the process of expanding the offering at Black Vegan Academy to include a wider wellness focus. Get your all access pass now while the introductory price is in effect and you get access to all the new courses coming, beginning with my new Taking Time For Self Care course which will be available in October.
What is Sankofa?
What is Sankofa?Sankofa is all about looking back to remember and pick up those things from our past that we have forgotten and bringing them forward to help us restore our culture, our greatness, and our health. My life in Tanzanian has highlighted for me the many ways our current culture has taken us away from what is truly a healthy lifestyle.
I'm Ready To Help!