Find What It Is You Need To Relax, Or Enjoy Life.
Our lives often keep us busy from sun up until sun down without much time for balance, or relaxation. In the beginning we don’t even realize how quickly we fall into the trap of endless going and going. It is often hard to put the brakes on the path once it has started. However, we need to put a stop to this cycle. There are several reasons why we need to stop: For one, the constant strain and stress that this fast pace life will put on the adrenals, and second, we are not experiencing life, but are just going from one thing to another.
I know I also fall into this go go lifestyle forgetting to take time for myself. I love working with my patients, and will spend time outside of normal working hours researching, and figuring out treatment plans for them. After long hours each day I then start to get short and snappy with my family members which is not acceptable. On my patients treatment sheets there is often something in the lifestyle section about balance, exercise, slowing down and/or breathing. My patients will often grumble about it, but after they have done it, and continue to do it, they are very thankful for that push.
Well this past week my push came to me. That is the need to slow down and take care of myself hit me like a ton of bricks. Not only was I starting to feel like I was getting sick, I was also mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. I slept in, did a little bit of work, and then tried to sit down and write a blog. But all my eyes could do was close. Thus I listened to my body, and made myself take a nap that ended up being 2 hours long. My body thanked me for that down time.
My husband has been encouraging me to get back to doing things that I love outside of seeing patients. However, it seems like such a long time since I have been doing any of these things that I am not sure exactly what it is I enjoy doing any more.
We all need to take time to relax, and find what brings us joy in life. Balance of work and play are important on so many levels. Life is short so make sure you take the time to do things that bring you joy, relaxation, and a laugher to your soul. Your body, mind, and spirit need this time so that you can recharge, be more connected in life and live in the moment. If you cannot remember what brings you joy then take some time figuring out what you enjoy. Try different things like taking walks, to reading books, or even creating crafts. Whatever it is make sure to enjoy it to the fullest. I know I am going to be trying different things to figure out what I enjoy doing as much as I enjoy working with my patients.