5 Ways to Rest and Rejuvenate
Rest is more than watching Netflix all afternoon. Yes, you need to lift your feet and veg out once in a while. Yes, you need 8 hours of sleep.
Downtime isn’t a waste of time. But beware!
The more you lay around the more you need to lay around.
Self-care harms you when you misunderstand rest. Snoozing on the couch for an afternoon helps when you’re physically exhausted. But couch potatoes are always exhausted.
“The most restorative kinds of rest — the things that recharge our mental and physical batteries most effectively — are the things that are active rather than passive.” Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Movement energizes.
5 ways to rest and rejuvenate:
#1. Practice active rest:
- Workout.
- Take a walk.
“The long walk while listening to a podcast may deliver more of a recharge and reset than being on the sofa watching ‘The Great British Bake Off.’” Pang
#2. Take breaks:
If you can’t take a long walk during the day, walk around the building. Put headphones on and listen to Bruce Springsteen sing “Glory Days.”
#3. Make a “today” list:
A to-do list grows until it becomes a billy club. “Make a list of things you can reasonably expect to get done today.” Robert Poynton
#4. Practice focus breaks:
My favorite re-energizing practice is taking three minutes to focus before a coaching conversation to focus, breathe, and choose how I show up. If you can’t take three minutes, take one. It does wonders.
#5. Turn off notifications:
No beeps, buzzes, dings, or vibrations for 60 minutes could change your day. It might change your life.
Bonus: Do something that makes time stand still. Carve. Paint. Puzzle. Make sure it’s not useful.
How do you rejuvenate?
What rest tip can you add?
More practical tips to increase personal energy: 3 Ways to Increase Personal Energy
Thanks to Tara Parker-Pope of the Washington Post for inspiring this article.
“The Vagrant,” teaches people how to engage in structured self-reflection. I encourage you to get your copy today. The story is compelling and the exercises at the end set readers on a life-changing journey. Click here to purchase, The Vagrant, on Amazon.
Everything changes when we change the way we think about ourselves.
Hi Dan,
This last year I changed a lot of things I do in my personal life to help me rejuvenate more than plus strengthens my mental health. It’s a two fold for me since I’m so hyper. To much relax time isn’t good for me because my brain doesn’t like to slow down. The gym is like going to the psychiatrist for me lol, it helps me mentally. I built a regime and focus on the numbers plus staying fit is top priority – mentally and physically. My down time is in the mornings when I wake up I read your blogs, catch up on personal emails and watch a Ted talk and self reflect. It’s the most important because the morning sets the tone for my day. I don’t watch TV and haven’t for years but I’ll watch a movie or sports every now and then. I’m constantly trying to improve myself and with work, all this I listed is a must to keep myself intact. It also keeps me motivated and consistent. My relax time consists of listening to music and reading travel blogs. Which I have inter grated into my day. When I feel overwhelmed I’ll thro my play list on and it’s a game changer. It’s amazing how one good song can change the way I feel 😃 uplift my spirits and help me put things back in perspective. I love searching for new music and hearing awesome stories about traveling before I call it a night. I recently just got back from Thailand where I did some pretty amazing activities. The ATV excursions where just what I needed along with the spectacular New Years fireworks show. Have a great day Dan, appreciate all your helpful insights that have truly made a difference in my management role in my career.
Thank you
Marvin Yeager
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Marvin. Very helpful. As I read your comment, I got the feeling of ritual or routine. You found or created a rhythm that works for you. Predictability in an unpredictable world is energizing.
I have a workout playlist that works to shift my attitude. Like you, I notice the power of music. There are some songs that I can listen to over and over. Glory Days, Power of Love, Walk of Life, Addicted to Love, and other oldies with a beat.
Thanks for adding value.
Hey Dan, happy new year. Take time out with your partner, sit and reflect on what’s working for you, what’s good about life. We did this for an hour last weekend (sitting by Her Dad’s graveside – after he passed away last month). It was incredibly therapeutic. Having patience, expressing love, giving space. Also, we biked there, because, why not! 🙂