When I was growing up, the term R&R was used a lot. It may have meant different things to different people, but the message was mainly the same.

Rest and relaxation.
Rest and recreation.
Rest and recuperation.
Rest and rehabilitation.
Rest.

We need our rest. It?s not only important, but also critical to our well-being.

Let?s do the math. There?s 24 hours in a day. We need eight hours of sleep a night. That?s drilled into us from birth. And within the remaining 16 hours, we?re meant to eat, drink (water of course!), go to work/school, exercise, and rest some more.

Taking time to rest is not only good for your soul, but also for your health.

Did you know that 90% of doctors? visits are due to chronic stress? So many people are looking for a magic pill to cure what ails them. What if the magic medicine we?re looking for is in the moments we take to get some R&R?

Our ?waking rest? can look like playing, reading a good book, meditating, sitting in nature, savoring a cup of herbal tea, taking a walk on the beach, laying on a hammock watching the clouds roll by, listening to music, or whatever soothes your weary soul ? on a regular basis.

We can stop the cycle of sickness and disease by taking one deep breath at a time. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system which tells our body it?s time to rest and digest. When we get the rest we need, solutions to problems are easier to find, difficult relationships are easier to navigate, we feel healthier, have more energy, brain fog suddenly clears, and we begin to appreciate the little things.

Take some time to deliberately decompress with love and appreciation for yourself. The price is too high not to schedule some time to relax.

When?s the last time you relaxed and just chilled out?

I hope this little reminder helps you make time for some well-deserved R&R!

Wishing you well,