If you are anything like me you will understand my need for structure. In order for me to function properly and at my best, I need to have a properly laid out schedule which I have to follow. I will admit that sometimes what I plan to do may not necessarily be what I end up doing during the course of my day(s) but I can assure you that even such deviations are easier to handle within my schedule than if there was no plan at all.
In this modern economy, the lines between work life and private or personal life have been blurred and it is very normal to us that we take our work with us everywhere. Our work has managed to accompany us to almost every other aspects of our lives and we have often gladly allowed this to happen because in some way it gives us this sense of purpose and perhaps importance. We have allowed our work to join us at the dinner table, we bring it with on our daily commute to and from work (scheduled telephone calls in our commutes), we have allowed it to join in our quality time with loved ones and we have even allowed it to disrupt us at our places of worship. Its everywhere now. And the recent lockdowns have not made it any easier for us, if anything it made it worse.
With all of this going on, I would like to take a minute to discuss the element of rest. Because we are so ever connected now, it may be difficult to take some time off to reset such that we then find ourselves in unhealthy patterns where we are deprived of sleep and proper rest. Without getting into too much science, studies have shown that one of the key elements required for a healthy productive life is some decent rest for the body and mind to rejuvinate. Science is basically telling us that one needs to have a healthy work-rest balance to allow for improved productivity.
Pyschologists and Sleep Scientists have gone further to state that it is highly advisable that a person take at least one day off in week where they completely disconnect from their daily work and normal routine. If you are a believer like I am, these “recent discoveries” on the importance of rest and how it links to our health have been “long discovered” and were given to humanity as Divine Instructions thousands of years ago which are ultimately are good for our own health. In Exodus 20, God instructs Moses that the people should do all their work and labor in six days and on the seventh-day no work was to be done as people were to spend time with their Creator as it were, taking them away from their work and giving them a break from their daily toil. May I then submit it to you that there was a divine purpose to be served in that divine instruction.
Research data has shown us that there is definitely a huge need for us to take some rest and exercise to keep a healthy work routine going. This is not only good for our health but also for our intellectual development and productivity. In his book titled Rest, Alex Soojung-Kim Pang argues that “Work and rest are the yin and yang of happiness. That’s sometimes forgotten in a culture that values overwork. But taking time out to recover and rejuvenate is key to a productive and enriching life. Getting a good night’s sleep, regular exercise, midday naps and vacations all nurture your creativity and set you up for success.”
With that said, I wish to challenge you to be intentional about taking some rest. If you are a structured person like me make sure that you schedule time to do nothing and just take a break and rest. Allow yourself opportunities to do something relaxing like taking a walk, going on a hike, reading a random book or poetry, play a game of chess or scrabble or paint a portrait – anything that can take your mind off work. And be intentional about it.
Set aside a day vey week when you cease from your labors and take time to connect with nature – who knows what you might discover.
Be Intentional.
Taf
NB: Image may be subject to copyright protection.
0 Comments