Rest: The Productivity Hack You’ve Been Ignoring
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This week’s:
Affirmation: I honour my body and mind by giving them the rest they deserve.
Quote: Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. – Anne Lamott
Rest: The Productivity Hack You’ve Been Ignoring
The holiday season is a unique time of year. It offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset. In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, be more, and achieve more, we often overlook one of the most critical aspects of success and well-being: rest.
Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s an integral part of the journey toward becoming the best version of ourselves. This week, I want to share why rest and recovery are not only essential but transformational, and how you can embrace them as part of your process.
The Power of Pausing
The holidays are the perfect time to take a moment to pause. In the stillness, we can reflect on the year that has passed—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Here are some questions to guide your reflection:
What went well this year? Celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small. Acknowledging your accomplishments boosts your confidence and motivates you for the future.
Where can I improve? Growth comes from recognising areas where you can do better and setting intentions to address them.
But reflection is just the beginning. Pausing also means tuning in to your body and mind. How are you feeling right now? When was the last time you truly listened to what your body needs? Rest allows us to reconnect with ourselves on a deeper level.
Rest Is a Teacher
Rest is more than just taking a break; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Activities like meditation and journaling are powerful tools for self-discovery:
Meditation: Sitting in silence can reveal so much about yourself. It helps you process emotions, gain clarity, and find peace amidst the chaos.
Journaling: Writing down your thoughts can be an eye-opening experience. It’s a way to untangle the knots in your mind and uncover insights you didn’t even know you had.
If you’re new to these practices, start small. Spend five minutes meditating or jotting down your thoughts in a journal each day. Over time, these habits can transform your relationship with yourself.
My Personal Journey with Rest
Let me share a story from my own life. A few years ago, I was working a demanding job that consumed every ounce of my energy. Day after day, I pushed through, believing this was how life was supposed to be.
Then, my body started to rebel. I couldn’t sleep, my hair began falling out, and my stress levels skyrocketed. One day, my nail technician refused to do my nails because my body showed signs of extreme stress. She looked at me and said, “Marianne, how are you feeling? Your body is telling you something is wrong. You can’t keep going like this.”
That was my wake-up call. I began appreciating and prioritising rest. Rest allowed me to tune in to how I was treating my body and reassess what I truly wanted from life. It taught me that pushing through isn’t a badge of honour; it’s a recipe for burnout.
Rest Like an Athlete
Athletes understand the importance of rest better than most. They know that their muscles need time to recover after intense training to come back stronger. The same principle applies to you. Rest isn’t about being lazy; it’s about recharging so you can show up as the best version of yourself—for yourself and for your loved ones.
Think of rest as an investment in your future self. When you give yourself permission to slow down, you’re building the energy and resilience you need to tackle life’s challenges.
How to Embrace Rest This Holiday Season
This holiday season, I encourage you to take some time to truly rest and reflect. Here are some ways to incorporate rest and recovery into your routine:
Schedule Downtime: Block out time in your calendar for rest, just as you would for a meeting or an appointment. Treat it as non-negotiable.
Unplug: Step away from your devices for a while. Give your mind a break from constant notifications and distractions.
Practice Self-Care: Do something that nourishes your soul, whether it’s taking a long bath, reading a book, or spending time in nature.
Say No: Protect your energy by setting boundaries. It’s okay to decline invitations or tasks that feel overwhelming.
Reflect and Reset: Use the time to think about what you want for the year ahead. Journaling and vision boards are great tools to help you clarify your goals and intentions. Last week, I wrote a post on how to make the new year your best year yet.
Rest Is Part of the Process
You’re already doing so great. Remember that rest is not a detour; it’s part of the journey. It’s in those quiet moments of recovery that we often find the clarity, strength, and inspiration to keep moving forward.
As we head into the new year, let’s embrace rest as a vital part of our process. Wishing you a restful Holiday season and a happy New Year 2025! I’ll be taking a break with this newsletter over the next week and will be back in January, refreshed and ready to continue this journey with you ❤️
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