Learning How to Rest
Many of us have spent years if not a lifetime in fight or flight mode and because of this, it can feel impossible or even unsafe to rest. For me, resting used to feel cringingly unproductive and unsafe. I was totally stuck in scarcity/survival mode and felt my world might crumble if I stopped hustling. And to be honest resting just felt plain boring.
But something had to give. My body, my health (and hospital bills), my therapist, and my girlfriend were all urging me to “REST WOMXN REST!!” So I caved… but I realized, for me… resting was actually really difficult.
So I practiced, cultivating the skill of rest. It may sound funny to think of rest as a “skill” but for some of us it totally is! Which is great news because like any skill it can be cultivated and strengthened over time!
But HOW do we really learn these skills? Well I’ve put together some of my favorite restful practices that I go to again and again to share with you! These have helped me heal my nervous system (so that stress and anxiety are not the norm). They have given me practical tools I can go to when my body is giving me signs of exhaustion and burnout. These practices have given me a way to regularly pause and renew my energy so that I can continue to show up as the BO$$ I am!
These are a few practical yet POWERFUL tools that have really helped me learn how to rest:
Sarah Blondin’s Learning to Honor Our Rhythms and Cycles meditation
Her words repeatedly remind me that life moves in cycles and I am not meant to be blooming and producing 24/7. I have been going back to this again and again for YEARS.
Ally Boothroyd’s 30 Minute Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation
Yoga Nidra has been key to helping me learn how to rest. Think of it like a massage for your nervous system. Ally Boothroyd is a great Yoga Nidra facilitator who has helped me experience deep rest and this is one of my favorites of hers! Pro tip: Do this after getting out of a hot bath to 10X your relaxation - your nervous system will thank you!
There is something about weight being on top of me that instantly makes me take a huge sigh of relief. It’s like that weighted blanket is telling me “I got you, you are safe.” It helps my body settle down and then my mind follows.
Really hot baths with Kush Queen CBD Bath Bombs
That heat relaxes our muscles which sends a signal to our brain that it’s okay and safe to relax. I HIGHLY recommend trying out a Kush Queen Bath Bomb. They are CBD infused bath bombs that I swear by! The most relaxed I have ever felt was after taking a Kush Queen bath. When I don’t have a bath bomb on hand I love to use epsom salts and some lavender oil. If you don’t have access to a bath try taking a hot shower with some essential oils or lay down on a heating pad.
If you try some of these out and it still feels strange to rest, like you just can’t settle down or get your mind off of your to do list. Try again. And again. It is amazing the skills we can strengthen with repetition.
Why put in all the effort? Because YOU and your life are worth it!
