Planning your summer getaway (without necessarily getting away)

I have always been fascinated by sabbaticals. I was amazed that there were institutions that actually encouraged and normalized taking a break. Recently I was at an Integrative Medicine training (which is basically holistic healthcare) and while we talked a lot about eating the rainbow and the power of natural remedies, the most mentioned healing tool was rest. Not only does a lack of rest make us more susceptible to mental health ailments, particularly mood disorders, but also make day-to-day functioning all the more difficult.

So, what is the price that we potentially pay for not resting?

1.      Memory Loss. Lack of rest can lead to a level of cognitive impairment

2.      Heart Concerns. Lack of rest can lead to inflammation-both in the brain and in the heart

3.      Long-term Health. Lack of rest, particularly sleep, has been linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.

The lack of rest is expensive for our mental and physical health, but also for our soul. Being chronically tired keeps us in a low energetic state and makes it hard for us to do what we love and be truly present with those who we love. We need rest to fully show up in our lives.

Now, it would be easy to say that we should all have a sabbatical, but since I do not have the power to make that reality for all us (sorry!), and in the spirit of summer, let’s talk about what you might have the power to do to create your own “sabbatical”.

Strategy #1: The Siesta

Taking a nap regularly has been linked to both improved mood and memory. Scheduling a 15–60-minute nap daily (coupled with at least 7 hours of sleep) can give your brain the rest that it needs to function well.

Strategy #2: Me-caetion

Resting in not only necessary but also an act of self-love. If you have the time off, consider taking a trip with yourself for a few days. It could be a road trip, or even a cruise or flight, based on your budget. Sometimes, a staycation utilizing day passes at local hotels can feel like a five-star experience for a fifth of the price. A highly recommended site for this is www.resortpass.com

Strategy #3: Micro-resting

Okay, so sometimes we can’t start with hours or days to get more rest (no matter how much we may wish for ourselves). Just like dating, sometimes the consistent, thoughtful effort is worth more than the fancy dinner. So, how can you feed your soul even for five minutes of your day? Everyday, try to set dedicate at least 5 minutes to rest. This can look like:

·       Journaling

·       Meditating

·       Walking

·       Stretching

·       Reading

·       Doing Nothing at all

These are just a couple of ideas, but activities that allow your brain to focus on something interesting, without pressure, can help.

While summer can be a great time to take a vacation, our mind, body, and spirit need year-long care and rest. Rest lets our mind know it is time to pay attention to us. Investing in rest allows our body and mind to heal, and allows us to positively shift our relationships with ourselves and one another.