Stop! Close your eyes and breathe deeply for 30 seconds. Think only about your breathing. Nothing else.
Welcome back! Notice how you feel more relaxed? There's a lesson in that exercise that will do wonders for your health and well-being.
I was talking with an acquaintance the other day who complained that everything in his life seemed to be breaking down. I wasn't surprised. This individual has been going through the same cycle for years.
He rushes through every day at warp speed. After a while everything around him begins to get out of whack...including his body. He is then forced to slow down and get his health, car and whatever else is not in working, back in shape. Then it's back to warp speed again.
I've suggested to him that his stressful lifestyle contributes to his cycle of breakdowns. And he admits that it is probably true. But he simply is unable to break out of his self-imposed cycle. Don't let this happen to you!
Your body needs more than rest
Everyone knows the body needs rest. But what many people don't realize is that the body also needs regeneration.
"Isn't that the same as rest or sleep?" you might ask. No...it is not!
Regeneration means stepping away from life's normal pattern. I call it visiting my Zen place. (Zen is an ancient practice of moving deeply within.) It is my place of peace.
How to establish your own place of peace
1. Be aware of "stress signs":
- Do you feel tense most of the time?
- Are you irritable?
- Do you feel overloaded with work?
- Are you constantly busy but never seem to catch up?
- Have you lost your creative flow?
- Is the quality of your work suffering?
There are many other signs that are related to running at a stress-inducing speed.
2. Plan ahead for some rewarding, regenerating experiences:
- Take a hot bubble bath
- Get a professional message
- Take a sauna
- Practice yoga
- Have a serious workout
- Take a hike or a long walk in a peaceful location
- Drive alone to your favorite spot and read a new book
- Take a nap
- Go for a bike ride
- Paint a room or refinish a piece of furniture
- Build something
- Work in soil (gardening)
- Create something
- Turn off the lights and sit quietly in the dark
- Stop what you are doing and focus on your breathing for a few minutes
- Visit your Inner Child and go someplace fun
- Take time to do something you really love
Some regenerating experiences will take only a few minutes...others a few hours...some a day or so. All will be worthwhile if they allow you to return to your normal life feeling refreshed and regenerated.
Make a promise to yourself
You may be thinking, "That really sounds great. I definitely have to plan some regeneration time."
Then what happens? Life! Stuff gets in the way. Promises are forgotten. The busyness continues. Stress builds until finally the body breaks down and forces you into a period of regeneration...except this regeneration is accompanied by illness or some other unpleasant condition that is not of your choosing.
It is far better for you to be in control of your regeneration than to be forced into a period of regeneration.
Make an appointment with yourself
Schedule 15 minutes sometime tomorrow for a regeneration break. Consider starting on a new (fun) project, beginning a book that isn't work-related...whatever excites you.
If possible, don't time yourself. That can put you under unnecessary stress. If you run a few minutes over, so what? Just "feel" the time. As you get used to taking some time and discover the benefits of regeneration, you will probably want to lengthen these periods.
Once a month (and perhaps more frequently) you may want to devote a full day to yourself. Sometimes you can schedule these days in advance; other times it depends on the weather.
Avoid excuses
We all tend to come up with excuses when it comes to making time for ourselves. "I've got too much to do today, so I'll do it tomorrow." Guess what? Tomorrow never comes! Don't allow yourself to fall into this trap.
Treat your life and you body with respect. Give your body the regeneration time it needs and feel the difference in your life. You will be healthier, happier and get more done. In fact, regeneration periods don't take time. They actually add time to your life!
I'm not kidding. It will take you to a natural watering hole in a South African game preserve. The picture you will see is in real time, broadcast 24x7 throughout the year. In other words, what you will see is what is happening at the watering hole right at that moment. You will also hear the sounds of the surrounding jungle if you turn up your speakers.
You might see some baboons grooming each other, gazelles grazing, zebras...or absolutely nothing. But whatever is...or is not...going on, it will provide you with a mini-regeneration vacation without the expense, heat, or bugs of Africa.
The best time to check the watering hole is between 10 a.m. and noon EST. (This is late afternoon in Africa.) Even if nothing is going on, you can spend a relaxing few minutes looking at the African landscape. It's amazing how rested you will feel when you arrive back home!
