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Topic: Rest (06/14/04)
TITLE: Rest for the Unwearied By Brenda Nixon 06/23/04 |
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“This is too stressful,” says another.
“Where’s the aspirin?” demands a third.
Rest, God’s biological health plan for us, is important before we sense its need. Before you feel nervous, impatient, fatigued, suffer lingering colds, a low level of alertness, frequent headaches, backaches and forgetfulness take time to rest. Your respite can take many forms: recreation, exercise, sleep, or even laughter.
For a healthy body, mind, and spirit recreation is essential. Through pursuit of personal interests – call it a hobby – you can forget problems and gain tools to cope with life’s stresses. Between writing assignments give yourself permission to become absorbed in a favorite pastime.
For me it’s cultivating my outdoor garden. When outside I think of Goethe’s statement, “Nature is the living, visible garment of God.” Then, as I return to my writing, I feel refreshed and inspired.
Exercise, or physical exertion, circulates oxygen throughout the body, strengthens muscles and bones, and releases natural tranquilizers in the brain. Go shoot hoops, jog, work out at the gym or swim as your mode of rest. With calm mind you can return to your writing goals.
Most people carry around a tremendous sleep deficit. Dr. Ronald Dahl, professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at University of Pittsburg Medical Center said, “Although I diagnose and treat many unusual neurologically based sleep disorders, the most common is deceptively simple – many…don’t get enough sleep.” Sleep has a healing power. It allows the nervous system and the circuit in the brain to “cool down,” improves mental balance and acuity, and provides the body opportunity to refresh. Researchers tell us that dreams occur every 90 minutes. God designed dreams as a way to clear out unnecessary information and store necessary data so when we awake we’re ready to learn. If you can’t afford a 90 minute or longer snooze, allow yourself a nap. Even a brief one lowers adrenaline levels and is shown to improve health.
Laughter can be powerfully restful as it relieves stress, tension, and anger. Go see a funny movie, read a laugh-out-loud book, the newspaper comics, chuckle in the greeting card isle, or talk with a fun friend who makes you laugh. After a few hearty giggles you’ll have a better perspective on things. The late comedian, Bob Hope, said of laughter, “It is a stimulant that enables us to rise to challenges.”
The poet Thoreau reminded, “Things do not change. We change.” As you pound out your next article or race to meet a looming book deadline, frequently rest. Find a form that works for you. Then you’ll be changed into a vigorous, focused, productive writer.
© Copyright 2004, Brenda Nixon, http://www.parentpwr.com