Tired of Being Weary Part 1- Physical Rest - Lisa E Betz

Do you feel weary? On edge? Achy and Irritable? Do you lack energy, and yet struggle to get the sleep you need? Do you suffer from eye fatigue? Have you become overly sensitive to certain noises? All these symptoms indicate that you may need more physical rest. They are signs your body and senses have become depleted and need some R & R.

I don’t mean Rest and Recreation (although they’re good too). In this series of posts, R & R stands for RELEASE and RESTORE.

Because to give our bodies the rest they need, we must be intentional about releasing or reducing the things or habits that deplete us, and intentional about restoring or reviving what has been depleted.

What do I mean by physical rest?

The rest I’m talking about is much more than sleep or passively relaxing in the recliner. Because passive actions like sleep won’t fully restore all the ways our body and senses are depleted.

As Saundra Dalton-Smith M.D. says in her book, Sacred Rest, “For every depleting activity in your day, there is a counter reviving activity to balance the scales.”

Rest involves reducing what is causing stress, both inside and out. And it involves participating in activities that reinvigorate our bodies, senses, minds, and spirits.

Problem is, we may not be aware of how our daily routines and our focus on getting stuff done might be starving us of the physical rest we need to be whole and healthy.

Over time most of us have learned to ignore our bodies. We push past the ache or discomfort and carry on with our work. We don’t pay attention to the signals that our senses are overloaded. Unfortunately, when we allow ourselves to become physically drained, it results in stifled creativity, slower reflexes, and blunted performance.

The strategies below will help you give your body and senses the rest they need so you can operate in top form.

Things you may need to RELEASE or REDUCE because they deplete you.

The following list includes common things, mindsets, or habits that may be adding to your physical or sensory exhaustion. Consider which of the items on this list are the most significant for you and become more intentional about “decluttering” them from your life as much as possible.

Release tension. Pause to notice where there is tension in your body. Are your hands or your jaw clenched? Are your shoulders tight and hunched? Gently release the tension and restore yourself to a neutral posture.
Exposure to screens and blue light. Give your eyeballs and senses a break—take time each day to put all devices aside.
Unhelpful food habits. When I feel stressed, I crave carbs, sweets, and chocolate. But I know sugary or overprocessed junk food makes me feel worse in the long run, so I’ve learned to keep healthier options on hand instead.
Too much stuff in your house. Or workspace. Stuff gets in the way. It needs to be cleaned and organized and stored. A chaotic, overstuffed environment can be distracting, frustrating, or stress-inducing.
Too much stuff on your schedule. An overbooked schedule is draining, mentally and physically. And it leaves less time to pursue the thing that restore you.
Expectations. Unrealistic expectations about our weight, fitness, body image, or similar physical traits cause shame, add stress, and erode our joy.
Too much exposure to sensory inputs. If your job involves consistent exposure to specific noises, odors, or other stimuli, give your senses a break by intentionally seeking time without that input to recover. For example, if your world is too noisy, try taking a walk or driving in the car without listening to music or a podcast.

How to RESTORE what has been depleted

Sometimes what our bodies need most is sleep. Beyond that, we all need to become more deliberate in adding activities and habits that restore what has been depleted.

This list offers suggestions that will help you reinvigorate what is stressed or depleted and improve overall health and wellbeing to your body.

Give your muscles a rest. Athletes know the importance of resting your body in between workouts. If you are actively working out—whether it’s walking, yoga, weights, or something else, be sure to give your body days off to recover.
Light exercise. Activities such as taking a short walk help restore blood flow and reduce inflammation. Walking outside is especially reinvigorating.
Stretching. Add periodic stretching to your daily routines. A few simple stretches at your desk or wherever relaxes tense muscles and reinvigorates you.
Keep moving. Break up long periods of sitting with small movements. Curl and uncurl your toes or hands. Do ankle circles. Every little motion helps joints remain loose and keeps blood and oxygen pumping through your system.
Find soothing sensory experiences. To counteract your sensory overload, experiment with soothing items such as scents, calming music, silky fabrics or a warm soak in the tub.
Practice times of stillness. We weren’t designed to be active and productive every waking moment. We benefit from times of intentional stillness and quiet. Meditating, centering prayer, slow movements, labyrinths, and similar activities can help restore our depleted bodies as well as our souls.
Eat more healthy foods. We all know we’re supposed to eat less processed food and more whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Don’t stress over your diet. Instead, make one small change at a time. Each time you make a healthier eating choice, you’re taking a tiny step towards restoring your body.
Drink more water (or other low-caffeine and low-sugar beverages). While the rule that you must drink 8 glasses of water every day is not based on solid data, we do benefit from drinking more water and fewer caffeinated or sugary beverages.