Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Refresh, Renew, Rejuvenate

The week just gone was a particularly busy and demanding one …. both socially and at work.  It started with a brilliant concert by the Foo Fighters on Sunday night – an awesome show, great energy and with great company.  But being Sunday night, the lateness meant that I was tired starting the work week, and really didn’t recover from Monday.

A friend and colleague had organized an outdoor cinema session for Wednesday night – although it was lovely to eat a picnic tea with friends before the movie, it added another late night to my week.  And to top it all off I had trouble sleeping …. Waking up at about 1am each night and then not able to get back to sleep until 4am or some nights not at all.

By Friday I was exhausted ….. I limped my way through the day.  Getting by on trying to stay in the present, trying to capture some quiet moments and to still my mind which seemed to be racing the whole week, both day and night.   I think that what frustrated me most was that I found it too easy to give in to thinking – after everything I’ve learnt in the last 12 months it seemed that I was helpless to the thoughts and emotions. 

In the weekend I sought refuge.  Time to sleep in and catch up on my sleep debt.  Time to spend with the family, to water the garden, to catch up with the washing, to thoroughly clean the kitchen putting away the accumulation of stuff dumped on the dining table over the last fortnight.  Time to catch up with some friends for dinner Saturday night, time to make a lazy cooked breakfast, time to talk with Nan and Grandad on Skype, time to go for a cross country jog with my daughter.  Time to go for a family bike ride, to take in the local community fair.  Even time to relax in a warm bath complete with salts.

At the end of this terrific weekend I feel like totally different person.  I feel I’ve refreshed my mind with peaceful moments of true presence/mindfulness.  I feel rejuvenated with plenty of sleep and without having to rush to a schedule the whole weekend.  My body feels strong and renewed with the physical activity we did – walks to the beach, bike rides through the neighborhood and even a short run with my daughter. 

Here’s to a great week ahead!

How do you relax after a long and stressful week?  I’d love you to share your thoughts, so send me a post or comment or you can email me at livewelllivesmart@gmail.com .   

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