BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., Oct. 26, 2017 —
One of the biggest factors in health that goes overlooked is rest. We live in a 24/7 society. The wheels are constantly turning and the disease of busyness has infected millions of people. It is estimated that over 100 million Americans suffer from a lack of sufficient sleep. We all know the prescribed formula; we need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. But while sleep is important, that isn’t really the focus of what we will talk about today. What I really want to address goes beyond physical sleep. That is rest.
You can be getting adequate sleep and still not have rest. You can be well rested but are not getting enough sleep. Rest is a state of mind and a state of being. Rest is the time where you recharge your emotional/mental/spiritual batteries just like sleep recharges your physical batteries. What activities are included in our schedules or in our daily cycles that recharge us? Now I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t have time for recharging or rest!” I know it seems like that, but here are a few ways that we can include “recharging” in our daily routines.
First, we need to simplify and be quiet. We are serial multitaskers and we are addicted to noise. Instead of looking at your phones while you’re waiting at the med clinic or riding on the elevator, just be still. Instead of having the radio blasting during lunch or on your commute home just enjoy the silence. Simplify your daily tasks and incorporate “recharge” into them. Finally, make sure your time off is time off. Unplug and reconnect with family and friends.
So here is your 3 step rest formula: make the most of your sleep, monitor your multitasking and noise, and maximize your time off to include recharge into your life. Rest well!