As I was checking my narrative and figuring out how to learn to listen to my body, one simple change I could make fairly quickly. Rest more. I say fairly quickly, but I don’t mean easily. It can actually be really hard to get more rest and make it a priority. In this society we tend to be focus on competing and results, but not on effectivity or self-care. Taking time to rest your body and mind can be perceived as self-centred or passive, while it can actually contribute to your overall health and productivity. Here is how I go about it and what I take from it.
Lie down on the floor
Just lie down. On the floor, on a bed, on a couch. Wherever. As long as I am lying flat and horizontal. Legs up, even better. How easy does this sound and it is done in a minute. Yet, I have found it hard to give myself the break to do this and it took a little while for me to acknowledge to myself and my body that this is what I need. Eventually, I learned to listen to my body. And now if I feel my body could use some rest, I don’t hesitate to lie down pretty much any where.
Breathing
Important while resting is to actually find relaxation. Sometimes my body and mind seem to keep on racing. It helps me to take a few deep breathes and see if I can fill my entire chest and belly with air. I make it a game to see if I can find a space that doesn’t fill up with air. Especially because of my scoliose, my breathing is crooked. So I try to see if I can get it to the tougher spots and give my back a nice stretch from the inside out. Sort of an internal massage. ((:
