The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

Carol Morrisey — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:07:48 GMT

Sounds like downtime simply means a change of pace. For me, reading my e-mail is interesting and refreshing. (Thanks, Dr. Mercola.) Housework is not! Dr. Ruth, Sunday is indeed a day to rest, but also to serve. I teach Sunday School, so my Sunday morning isn't very relaxing, though enjoyable. But I do love my afternoon nap!

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

leangreencafe — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:13:06 GMT

This summer, I felt like I ran away from home. I was gone visiting my grandkids in Houston and Austin, and checking out New Orleans almost all summer. I put an ad in Craig's List and traded a room for a month in NOL for some cleaning and organizing. I rode the St. Charles streetcar, had cafe au lait and beignets at the Cafe du Monde, saw the Audobon Zoo, the cemetery off Washington, and generally forgot the whole remodeling mess waiting for me at home. I noticed how refreshed I felt, and how easily I fell back into the driver of my worker bee bus.

Just a few weeks back, and I accepted an invitation to go to the Orcas Islands. The noise in my head, the 'to do' list, just had to wait. The ferry and scenic sail boats, sea life clinging onto the docks, revealing a whole new world is waiting to be downloaded to my computer.

A friend of mine wants to donate some equipment to the Tillamook Air Museum, and so that will be something I look forward to. Cheese curds, ocean smells and scenery, gift shops, clam chowder, tempting fudge await next week I hope.

I actually accomplish more than running myself into the ground, when I get away for a jaunt. I miss the rides around Sauvie's Island 15 min. from Scappoose on Sundays. It was a great time to stop at those farmer's type markets like the Pumpkin Patch and Krueger's.

I miss the Sunday rides with my 80+ father. I'd get him a small hot fudge sundae, which he looked forward to. I remember the dikes, blue herons, deer, farms, and company, etc. we shared on those afternoons.

I agree with you, Northern Herbalist ,to not wait to slow down until we're sick, but to seek relief and refreshment as a matter of habit. Life is too short. To plan time away, or quiet time is to enjoy our time much more, and be more productive.

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

joanruthand — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:57:02 GMT

Hasn't it always been that we do all we have to do (and it sure is plenty, self-employed, working part-time in alternate Medicine at 80 years of age) 6 days per week and rest one in seven? It works. Dr. Ruth

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

curious7 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:03:31 GMT

Nothing more refreshing than myself and fellow Photographers walking through the woods, snapping pictures, especially this time of year. Nature by itself is refreshing, looking forward to the Cumberland Falls, in two weeks.

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

Shamballa3 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:45:49 GMT

The ocean brings me the most complete relaxation I have found and it can be just a few moments to decompress or a few hours if time allows. If I combine it with some reiki I can usually do some meditation and prayer work at the same time. i am lucky enough to live 1 1/2 miles from the beach (on Cape Cod) and I know that's what keeps me here. I cannot think of a better place for 'downtime'!

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

cxg174 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 11:43:28 GMT

Downtime sounds like a beautiful concept. How can anyone work, earn CEU's, raise a family, keep a house, have an elderly parent, and keep up with the day to day activities and have downtime??? My downtime is my sleep and I long for more of that!

This sounds like something invented by a man.

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

northernherbalist — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:07:53 GMT

Years ago I took a Master Herbalist course and one of the things the teacher kept stressing (in an unstressful way) was down-time! Getting sick might just mean you need a break from all the hustle and bustle of modern life. I say, why wait til you're sick, don't feel guilty, relax and do what makes you happy now.

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

Miss Bliss — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:28:57 GMT

How true Beegirl!

My unscheduled but much needed downtime involved a drive in the country to see the gorgious fall colors, wild turkey's, and white-tailed deer...a pleasant walk on a perfect fall day collecting leaves for my Thanksgiving table next week, took my mind off the tensions of the past week and rejuvenated my soul....lol

Downtime for me has to come spontaneously and after doing some regular self-assessment.... If I plan for it, I won't do it...!

re: The Importance of Scheduling Downtime

BeeGirl — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:50:29 GMT

I'll get in a lot more downtime if I'm not busy using a tool to generate a weekly review to determine the successfulness and compare the effectiveness of my downtime, lol.