Rest is a Four-Letter Word

It’s that time of year again.

No, I don’t mean the holiday season. I mean cold and flu (and stress) season.

Between the end of year crunch at work, holiday parties, shopping and the never-ending to-do lists, it’s easy to think I’ll rest when the holidays are over.

Then it’s the new year, you’re cleaning up after the holidays and maybe even starting some new year resolutions, like going to the gym more. But work is still crazy, kids still have their activities and there’s always something else that needs to be done.

So many of us get caught up in the grind of work, family responsibilities and trying to do it all. And it’s just not good for us. Up to 73% of Americans report that stress impacts their mental health. That’s a lot!

And when our bodies are put under constant stress with no downtime, it impacts our health. Research shows chronic stress can lead to muscle tension, headaches, digestive problems, trouble sleeping, high blood pressure and stroke. It weakens our immune system so we’re more susceptible to colds and flu, which are always higher during this time of year.

What can you do about it?

A good way to start is to rest.

It’s a four-letter word, but one we all need to use more often.

Rest is vital for better physical and mental health. Rest and sleep are two different things, but both are important.

No one is at their peak level when they’re sleep-deprived. Your cognitive responses are impacted, meaning you make mistakes which can lead to bad mistakes and even injuries.

Rest looks different for each person, but it’s any behavior aimed at increasing physical or mental well-being. It could be something active, like taking a walk outside or going to the gym. Or it could be something more passive, like meditating or reading a book.

Think about it this way: your car won’t last long if you constantly drive it at the highest speeds, running over every speed bump or pothole, then never changing the oil or turning the engine off each night.

If you take care of your car, why wouldn’t you take care of yourself?

So this season give yourself the gift of rest. Allow yourself to unplug and activate your inner healing. You’ll feel better, mentally and physically, and help others.