Lockdown 446

Lockdown Day 446- 15 June 2021

Still on the rest topic, I was also fascinated by the link rest has with stress. Especially now in these times. While attending a brain development course in 2020, I experienced the immense restorative effect such a rest cycle or nap schedule has on our brain's ability to "recycle" stress.

Rest cycles break stress cycles when you check in on yourself and take the time to create and follow a work/rest day schedule.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed or just worried more than usual can mess with your brain. Here are a few things you can do immediately to slow down and relax:

-change your environment: if you can't go to another location, try dimming the light by closing the curtains or only having one or two lights on

-listen to a calm playlist while breathing deeply

-lavender oil in a diffuser or burner

-fresh air: create a draft or go outside 

-find a spot of green to look at or, better yet, walk in/on

-read something intentionally even if you don't feel like it as this forces your brain to focus

-pause: pay attention to your breathing and put your mind to pausing everything for a moment

Taking a nap and purposefully sitting down to schedule a nap timetable is the thing that ties all the above together, permanently breaking the stress cycle. 

As prevention is better than cure,  I think all of us can use this to our advantage and build our own mindful stress relief and rest cycle. Most of all, seek the presence of our Creator God and He will guide you in everything. Because He's got this.