How is your energy today on a scale of 1 to 10? 1 is barely able to keep your eyes open. 10 is bouncing about full of beans.
I ask my clients this question every time I see them. I ask myself the same question too.
Last week I was totally wiped out in a “I need to do absolutely nothing” kind of way. I went to see my acupuncturist (the fabulous Alison Arden) and whilst taking my pulse said “hmmm, running on nearly empty”. I then proceeded to fall asleep on her very comfy couch whilst she stuck needles in me.
I’m not always great at taking my own ‘Invest in Rest’ advice. Nor are my clients who resist my strong suggestion that they do less now and again. They’re busy people, with full-on careers, families, homes, pets and a million other things to manage. Sound familiar? It’s not always feasible to take time out. I get it. I live in the real world too.
But here’s the rub. All the nutrition advice, fitness training, yoga and green smoothies in the world won’t help you to feel glorious well unless you recharge your batteries regularly. It doesn’t have to be a week at a spa (nice as that sounds). Little and often is best to avoid a crash and burn scenario.
Here are 5 ways to rest and restore.
- Switch your phone to flight mode (feels less dramatic than switching it off completely), make a big pot of herbal tea and read the paper, a book or a magazine. There’s something altogether more restorative about reading printed vs. on-screen material.
- Warm bath. Epsom salts (to detox) or a few drops of lavender oil (to unwind). Lights off. Candle lit. Bliss.
- Sofa time with a film you’ve seen loads of times before so that you don’t have to use much brain power following the storyline and it matters not a jot if you fall asleep half way through. If I’m really tired, I hide under a big blanket and hang out with Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side. Love that film. Cry every time.
- Don’t pre-arrange anything for a whole day at the weekend. Seriously. Just go with the flow. It’s feels very weird not to have brunch / play dates / dinner / cinema plans. But it’s so good to just potter about. In your PJs if that helps.
- Get outside. Get up close with some greenery. Feel the fresh air on your face. It’s a really good way to recharge.
Rest. You need it more than you might think.
Be glorious. Stay well.
Rebecca x
About the Author
Rebecca Hirst, founder of Glorious Wellness, is The Health Coach to High-Flyers, she works with leaders, game-changers and go-getters who want to transform their energy, fire on all cylinders and feel ready to kick some serious business butt. After 20 brilliant years in marketing, many of which were at Coca-Cola Rebecca retrained and left her ‘crazy big job’ to help other high-flyers to get amazing energy, brilliant brain power and a happy, healthy body through her Glorious Wellness Programmes.
