Leisure Time and Leisure Mind
Are you busy… or are you just not managing your stress correctly? Do you have too much to do, but find you are procrastinating or not getting your priorities complete because you are too tired or not focused? It happens to all of us.
We think we are just busy at holidays, but this time of year we also run around like chickens loose from the coop. Getting ready for summer can be hectic. Managing stress should be a constant in your life, not an exception.
Overworking and lack of rest causes health issues. Stress is the precursor to many critical illnesses. You can prevent being a victim of one.
Why do you need rest and leisure time, physically and mentally?
Let me remind you. Sometimes we are running too fast to remember ourselves!! Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine deals with stress, overwork, depression and anxiety. These factors affect your health. Be more aware and you can improve how you feel. Awareness brings more control over your behavior.
#1. Stress is a precursor for all types of physical and emotional health problems. It leads to chronic pain, anxiety and depression. Have any of these? Then slow down. Breathe. If you are driving, try to be in the “now.” Breathe deeper and relax your stomach muscles, chest and diaphragm. Feel that breath down to your toes…Have that “aha” moment. Now that you are in the now, do it again… look around and enjoy what you see and feel. Is it different for you?
#2. Lack of rest prevents the body from healing and rejuvenating. It ages you! It prevents you from being all that you can be. Adequate rest gives you more mental and physical control and energy. So go to bed earlier. (Thanks much for TiVo and DVR recording- you don’t need to stay up late to watch your favourite shows).
Rest powers and oxygenates your mind, your metabolism, and willpower!
#3. Poor nutrition and poor diet choices usually accompany over-working and over-stressing. “I have no time to prepare healthy foods, so I just grab something along the way.” Not! Fast food is full of fat, sodium and chemicals that worsen how you already feel. Make time for meal planning. You are that important! Please don’t give up on good nutrition…modify but don’t disregard all the work you have put into it so far. You have a better chance of succeeding if you plan for the day, rather than the meal. Think about your total nutrition, and what you want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then plan for it. Once you do, execution is easy.
Your first wealth is your health. Take care of it.
Related Article: What is the Definition of Leisure?
Featured Image: SouthDakota.com
Source by Dr. Kathleen Albertson, PhD