Take Time To Rest

Summer is typically a time to be active, a time to socialize, it’s the season of fire and can be packed with activities, but it's also a good time to slow down and take care of yourself. Amidst the busy schedules, summer allows us to reconnect with our bodies and souls in a different way than what we are used to during other times of the year. 

In this hectic and stressful world, it’s easy to get caught up in our everyday lives. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted by the strain of work, family life, relationships, finances, and other obligations constantly draining us. 

But what we often forget amidst the craziness is that taking time for ourselves is essential to our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being - too often, it falls low on our list of priorities. 
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I spent the last three days alone...

Well, mostly alone. I had very limited texts with friends. A brief phone call with a sick friend. I called my adult kids to see how life was, my future son-in-law had just returned from Ukraine and had a job interview. I had an Aperol Spritz virtually with my best friend on a video call while she was sitting at a sidewalk café in NYC enjoying the same. 

It had been a rough week and I needed to give myself some self-love. I needed to regenerate and renew my heart and soul. I needed time alone to make some shifts in my life. So, I gave myself a time-out. Which allowed me to think more clearly with an open heart and renewed spirit. 

Today I want to encourage you: please take time for yourself! Take time to rest! Whatever that looks like for you, it could be anything from going for a peaceful stroll outdoors to simply allowing some quiet time in solitude. 

You might find that taking some time for self-care this summer through simple things like going for a walk, outdoor yoga, swimming in a lake, stargazing, or simply lying in a hammock can bring balance back into your life and provide physical and emotional nourishment that will feed your soul! 

Remember - self-care isn’t selfish. It’s about nourishing our hearts and minds. Make sure to get enough sleep each night, practice yoga or meditate for a few minutes, read a book, or spend an hour talking with friends and family. 
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Me, I’ve been meditating outside with the trees every morning and sitting with the sunset every evening. I’ve read, worked on a puzzle, exercised, went to bed early, and made sure I was fully hydrated. I slowed way down and reconnected with myself. Sure, there were people out there trying to engage, asking me to come out and play, wanting me to join their revelry. I was busy tending to my soul.