A Little Rest for the Weary

Do you know the difference between rest and sleep?

I talked to someone last week who is working a full-on schedule during the week and spending every weekend travelling back and forth to visit a significant other who lives out of state. This person has absolutely no free time, no time for anything but work + relationship. No time to put feet up and watch bad TV, to read a book, to stare blankly out the window.

Despite getting enough sleep, this person is exhausted and ready to drop. What this person is missing is rest.

Rest is different from sleep. Rest happens when you are awake. It's the moments (hopefully more than just a few) when you don't have to think. You can let your mind idle. You can let go of forward movement, of meeting deadlines and crossing things off a to-do list.

Just as your body needs sleep, your mind needs rest. Your body does a lot of repair and integration while you sleep. Your mind is free to wander, discover, connect, and integrate when you rest.

Want to tap into your imagination? Your mind needs to rest.
Want to discern the solution to a problem? Your mind needs rest.
Want to feel refreshed? Your mind needs rest.
Want to be able to listen to your heart and soul? Your mind needs rest.

Without rest, your mind -- like your body without sleep -- begins to work less and less effectively. It begins to wear down, slow down, grind down. It's a car with dirty oil and not enough fuel.

How do you get rest? Here are some ways that work for me.

Meditation and prayer
A quiet worship service
Singing
Watching easy TV (I'm especially fond of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and The Big Bang Theory)
Going for a walk, run, swim, paddle
Read fiction
Experiencing comedy or humor
Laughing, especially with friends
A good meal eaten slowly, especially if I prepared it

Think about the last few days. How much rest was there in your life? What brings rest to your mind?