Dr. Mercola October 25 2008 23,690 views
You need to rest your mind in order for it to work well on a long-term basis. Many people need to schedule these rest periods, and even lay down rules for what can and cannot be done during those times.
If you’re not naturally inclined to slowing down and taking a break, the best thing you can do is schedule downtime.
How much downtime you need to schedule is a personal matter that depends on several factors. It’s tempting to schedule less time than you need, but don’t succumb to that temptation.
Think about how much you need as opposed to how much you can get by with.
Set Rules for Your Downtime
For example, restrict what you can and cannot use a computer for. Maybe you need to spend more time with your kids, so give yourself the requirement that you spend a certain amount of time each week playing with them (if you’re not already doing this, this article is even more important for you).
Proponents of Getting Things Done and various other productivity systems have a great tool for optimizing your actions -- the weekly review. Your weekly review should adopt a new component: the weekly downtime review.
It’s important, though, to gauge how effective your downtime is and how successful you’ve been at making your downtime appointments.
Downtime is important. Realize that relaxing isn’t a total waste of time, even if the lack of action makes it feel that way.
Just reading the many wonderful ways that you have down time makes me relax a bit just reading. It is a great reminder to me too. It is so busy to get wrapped up in all of the things we need to get done and occupied by our responsibilities that it is great to be reminded of (some of my) favorite activities that nurtures our souls. I too love walking in the rain and riding horses (an old pastime with great memories) and I love listening to music too. Great article and comments to read as part of my down time this evening. Thanks everyone. Going to go curl up with a book now. =)
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.
Yes, I truly believe while I was working and needed some r & r I would
actually get "sick"! Now that I am retired I haven't yet been ill, knock
on wood - been years now.
Blessed
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.
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'!
I too fortunately live close enough to the ocean to use it as a form of relaxation. I am an avid surfer. (that means I surf all the time but am not proficient at it). Anyway whether the waves are good or horrible I always feel better after surfing. If there are no waves for a long period of time I'll just take my kids to the beach and walk or play. The beach has an unexplainable power and I am so lucky to live near it. The beach Rulz!
Shamballa3...hmmmm...Cape Cod...the beach...the surf...the seagulls...delicious seafood...wind for sails...hmmm...I have gone there in my mind.
Thanks for reminding me of how much I love the ocean...