The Importance of Rest

We just returned from visiting family in Wisconsin. The air was clear, the sun was sparkling, the temperature was just right; not too hot nor too cold. Our families were loving, laughing, and high spirited. And we rested more soundly.

In fact, my wife and I slept an extra hour each night compared to our at-home routine. I cannot help but think the extra hour of sleep stemmed from our carefree vacation. Not too much on our minds to interfere with sound, uninterrupted sleep.

The purpose of this sharing is to reflect upon rest and to explore different types and levels of rest. This is not a research-based exposition. Hopefully, it will be more akin to whimsical musings about rest.

We, who are now “seniors,” may have an advantage over younger peers. Rest is no longer optional. We tire more readily. Napping may be essential, even non-negotiable at times.

I understand we Americans may be the World Champions in working more than 40 hours a week and not taking our paid vacations. We have transformed ourselves from Human Beings to Human Doings. Parenthetically, let us not be too self-blaming; our current cultural economic expectations play a major role. Anyway, we need to balance our being and our doing and become a “Do-Be!”

Types of Rest

Remember those words, “sleep like a baby?” We saw it in Wisconsin. Our great niece’s son, less than a year old, had his bottle and slept like the baby he is, amid joyful chaos as we celebrated his great grandparents’ 65^th wedding anniversary! What must we do to sleep like a baby during our demanding, activity-filled lives?

The first step might be to let go of our worldly concerns and woes. Letting go requires much practice, just like any new skill acquisition. The mechanics of letting go requires strengthening of our “observational muscle.” It entails observing the endless shoulds and oughts that enter our minds, deciding what to do about them, then letting the thoughts float on by like a cloud in the sky. Deciding is pivotal. We commonly disempower ourselves by saying to ourselves and others, “I don’t know what to do.” Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you say I can or I can’t, either way you will be right!” We must perfect our self-management skills.

Achieving this “Deep Rest” of a baby might also require forgiving everyone and everything to achieve peace for ourselves. Unforgiveness interferes with Deep Rest, while it injures only ourselves. Letting go of hurts and grievances – forgiveness – frees us for rest and peace.

Let us now think of other types of rest. How about “Listening Rest,” where we stay tuned into our bodies throughout the day and stop to rest as needed, but before we “hit the wall” and cannot do anymore? Some folks stop every hour to do 4 x 4 Box Breathing. This involves inhaling to the count of 4, holding the breath for a count of 4, exhaling to the count of 4, and doing the whole process 4 times. It releases stress while taking in fresh energy. For others, maybe a restful stroll at lunch, before breakfast, or before or after dinner. Just something to rest the mind while staying totally absorbed in the present moment.

Most of us know about “Nature Rest.” The Japanese call it “Forest Bathing.” How refreshing a bath or a shower is! Interestingly, nature will enter your soul with or without intentionality. Simply being in nature – a lake, a stream, a river, an ocean, a forest, even a pond – soothes our inner being. We may also sit, purposefully, to drink in the healing that nature brings.

I fear few people regularly do the “Breathe Rest.” This rest has countless variations taught in Tai Chi, Yoga, and most types of Meditation. One way to achieve this rest is to focus on your breathing, noticing if your breathing is shallow, relaxed, or labored. Stay with your breathing until it slows, becomes silent, and almost disappears, resting more and more fully, more deeply. Do it daily!

There is resting in the beauty of art, literature, music, and poetry. Resting opens us up to greater receptivity to the gifts present within us.

There are many forms of rest; too many to address in this brief reflection. Send letters! Share what form of rest speaks to you.

Resting opens the door into our unconscious minds, which contain everything we have ever experienced. So many treasures lie hidden within us.

The ultimate rest is in silence where there is no thinking, no reflecting, no expectations. Some find this in a weekly day of retreat. In the Jewish tradition this is the Sabbath day of receiving replenishment. To feel beauty and love in the silence. Resting deeply, receiving greatly.

Dr. Jim David is a retired psychotherapist in Silver Spring, MD, who adheres to positivity in all areas of life. Currently he does Personal, Spiritual and Executive Coaching. Visit www.askdrdavidnow.com or email [email protected] for information.