There’s an intriguing thought from Jesus in Matthew 11 at the end of the chapter: “I’ll show you how to take a real rest” ~The Message

As I work with and coach leaders, at times I wonder how many of them truly know how to take a REAL rest! The rest they think they’re taking doesn’t seem to be working very well.

Today Dan Rockwell shares 5 effective ways to truly rest and rejuvenate!

Guest Post by Dan Rockwell

Rest is more than watching Netflix all afternoon. Yes, you need to lift your feet and veg out once in a while. Yes, you need 8 hours of sleep. Downtime isn’t a waste of time. But beware! The more you lay around the more you need to lay around. Self-care harms you when you misunderstand rest. Snoozing on the couch for an afternoon helps when you’re physically exhausted. But couch potatoes are always exhausted.

“The most restorative kinds of rest — the things that recharge our mental and physical batteries most effectively — are the things that are active rather than passive.” Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

Movement energizes.

5 ways to rest and rejuvenate:

#1. Practice active rest:

Work out
Take a walk.

“The long walk while listening to a podcast may deliver more of a recharge and reset than being on the sofa watching ‘The Great British Bake Off.’” Pang

#2. Take breaks:

If you can’t take a long walk during the day, walk around the building. Put headphones on and listen to Bruce Springsteen sing “Glory Days.”

#3. Make a “today” list:

A to-do list grows until it becomes a billy club. “Make a list of things you can reasonably expect to get done today.” Robert Poynton

#4. Practice focus breaks:

My favorite re-energizing practice is taking three minutes to focus before a coaching conversation to focus, breathe, and choose how I show up. If you can’t take three minutes, take one. It does wonders.

#5. Turn off notifications:

No beeps, buzzes, dings, or vibrations for 60 minutes could change your day. It might change your life.

Bonus: Do something that makes time stand still. Carve. Paint. Puzzle. Make sure it’s not useful.

How do you rejuvenate?

What rest tip can you add?

More practical tips to increase personal energy: 3 Ways to Increase Personal Energy

Thanks to Tara Parker-Pope of the Washington Post for inspiring this article.

5 WAYS TO REST AND REJUVENATE