Twelve ideas for rest during this time of year
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José, ©2022 Nicole Bratt
“I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.”
~ Eckhart Tolle
Why is it that animals are such good teachers? Perhaps it’s because they remind us of where we came from… when rest was not optional and before we conflated worth with productivity.
Here we are well into the end-of-year frenzied roll of the holi-daze. Can we take a lesson from the teachings of my cat (pictured above) and find time each day to rest?
Rest doesn’t look the same for everyone. And it benefits us to have many options available to us in terms of time, cost, and energy replenishment needed.
Here are twelve creative rest ideas:
Close your eyes and take 3 slow, sweet, full breaths. Relax all the muscles of your face.
Hummmmmm on your exhales (or practice formal bhramari breath) for 4-6 breath cycles.
Put on your favorite dance song, turn up the volume, get out of your chair, and dance your butt off until it’s over. (Bonus: sing along.)
Enjoy this 8-minute sound bath from Shana Nunnelly.
Make a nest, lie down, and set a timer for 10-20 minutes. Close your eyes and be a container for all the thoughts, sounds, sensations, and vibrations that move through you during that time.
Get comfy lying down, as in #5 above, and listen to a guided yoga nidra meditation.
Take a walk – especially in Nature! (Bonus: leave your phone/smart watch at home.)
Watch (or just listen to) this exquisite, hour-long concert from Ludovico Einaudi from 2019.
Curl up with your favorite hot beverage and an engrossing book or magazine. (Bonus: turn your phone to silent.)
Get a massage, acupuncture, float, or pedicure – whatever pampering you enjoy!
Soak in a hot bath… epsom salts & baking soda optional!
Go to bed early tonight!
Do you have other ways you find rest?
I’d love to hear about them! (Yes, really; I keep a list!!)
May you rest regularly this week… and every one after,
Nicole