ways to rest in everyday life

 

recently i’ve been reflecting on rest as a necessary act — at the base of everything. here’s an ongoing list of (my) ways to rest without going on vacation.

5-10 minutes

  1. lay in bed with your eyes closed and breathe deeply, like trying to flush out and circulate air through your entire body. air detox.

  2. lay in bed with your eyes closed, and put on headphones or play music in speakers. choose 2-3 songs to listen to before you lay down, and queue them. cherish the act of listening to music with your full, undivided focus.

  3. do a few gentle stretches on the floor while breathing deeply.

  4. lay on the floor on a yoga mat (or just the floor, like you’re in a modern dance class or feldenkrais, except the kind where you don’t move… (or maybe you do. maybe you play ambient music and move very very slowly.))

20-45 minutes

  1. take a short reset nap, by that I mean - close your eyes with the intention of maybe drifting to sleep, maybe not. after you wake up, make yourself a nice drink as a reward for getting up.

  2. read a book in your favorite place in the house for book-reading, drink coffee, eat something sweet and tasty. soak in the feeling of felt sensations (wind, sun, heat, cool).

45-60 minutes

  1. take a serious nap. like, close the blinds, get into pajamas, play white noise music, even take a shower beforehand if you want — just pretend you’re going to bed for real, so that when you wake up, you’ll have the pleasure of experiencing two days in one. wohoo!

  2. take a slow, meandering, destination-less walk. let your body guide the way.

1-2 hours

  1. go sit at a cafe and read a book.

2-4 hours

  1. watch 2-3 consecutive episodes of a very good, nourishing TV show (nothing too intense or stressful); getting up only for bathroom, and to procure snacks, and maybe to walk Luna.

  2. pack a bag and go sit at a grassy park with a blanket, dog food/water for Luna

  3. take a long walk somewhere.

a full day

  1. turn off your phone for a whole day so that you’re basically unreachable. even better — hide your devices so that you give yourself the gift of a screenless day. instead, entertain yourself the way you would’ve when you were a child.

 
wellbeingKening Zhurest