Rest
Adapted from Seven Types of Rest that Can Help You to Feel Fully Renewed
Have you scheduled time to rest before and after serving campers at T.R.A.C.? Are you encouraging your volunteers to do the same? Did you know there are seven types of rest?
According to a blog article on calm.com, “It’s easy to think that getting a little more sleep is the answer to our fatigue, but true rest actually goes beyond catching those extras hours of shut eye.” In Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith shares her favorite:
Physical rest—take that nap.
Mental rest—engage in a hobby.
Emotional rest—feel and express those emotions in a healthy way.
Sensory rest—turn off those electronic devices.
Creative rest—engage with the beauty in the world through art, nature or music.
Social rest—surround yourself with supportive people and avoid draining relationships.
Spiritual rest—pray and worship.
Ever wonder why the fourth commandment is sandwiched between “have no other gods before me” and “don’t murder, commit adultery, steal or lie?”
God gave us rest as a gift. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) In the same manner God rested on the seventh day after creating the world, we are to do the same.
As the blog writer points out, “Rest is often misunderstood or even overlooked . . . when we truly rest, we’re reaching a state where our mind and body can relax and recover from the stresses and strains of daily life. Medically, rest has long been recognized as a key component in maintaining good health, preventing burnout, and ensuring long-term wellbeing . . . rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.”
Finding balance between family, work, ministry, responsibilities and rest can be challenging. Here’s some helpful steps.
Start small and build up.
Experiment to find what works best for you.
Be intentional about your rest.
Schedule time for rest.
Focus on the benefits.
Combine different types of rest.
Set boundaries to protect your rest time.
Stay open to adjusting your approach.
Share your rest practices with others.
As author Peter Scazzero writes in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, God literally gave us 52 snow days.
Thank the Lord for the fourth commandment.
Rest.
Learn more: https://www.calm.com/blog/7-types-of-rest