AUTHOR
FIONA KRIARIS Fiona Kriaris is the Health and Wellness Product Manager for
YMCA Victoria , and is a Trained Mindfulness Facilitator through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Centre . Follow Fiona on Instagram
@ fiona _ kriaris or connect with Fiona on
LinkedIn .
PRIORITISING REST : HOW TO FEEL FULL OF VITALITY
Fiona Kriaris helps us understand the importance of downtime on our physical and emotional wellbeing .
Rest is an important component to your overall wellbeing and is needed now more than ever with the commitments and stress of a busy lifestyle . In our society , our minds are continually stimulated whether it be watching television , scrolling through social media , or online shopping – to name just a few distractions .
On the surface , some of these activities may seem like ways of taking time out from your tasks , yet not all activities provide equal benefits . When it comes to rest , some activities that serve you better as a way to nurture your soul , will also leave you feeling more re-energised . To truly rest means having to disconnect from technology
– an imbedded habit that can be hard to break .
Here are some suggestions that will help cultivate rest :
} drawing } meditating } painting } reading } spending time in nature } taking a bath } and walking .
Be more mindful of using your free time to take the opportunity to really unwind , instead of filling this time immediately with distractions . Usually , the restful activities listed above aren ’ t a priority in our schedules , and are considered a luxury rather than a necessity .
Knowing the benefits of taking time out to rest may inspire us to make it part of our daily or weekly routines . Rest can boost your vitality to prevent burnout , enhance your mental health , reduce stress , elevate your mood , strengthen your relationships and promote a healthier immune system .
If you want to feel full of vitality , then rest is a non-negotiable . Prioritise by scheduling small restful activities to maintain a new and sustainable routine . In the words of author Alan Cohen , “ There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest . Use both and overlook neither .”
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YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE