Let me take you back 6 years... Corinne shares her story Rest is such an important topic. Not new news. I know. But, do we live as if rest is important? Think about how cranky and irritable you might be before a nap or a good night of sleep, and then how you feel after it. Creating a lifestyle of rest is vital to health. A lifestyle of rest simplifies everything. You’ll say “no” to a lot more. Your days and your schedule will be easier. You’ll be able to go at a slower pace. It’ll be more gentle on your body and mind. It’s an incredible trade to a hectic full schedule. I recognize many of us are conditioned to be on the go all day, every day. For lots of us that’s what was modeled as we grew up.I grew up with a father who praised productivity and a mother who needed a lot of help because she was incredibly overwhelmed and unhappy with her life. So that’s how I learned to live abandoning myself and my needs.What was modeled to you as you grew up? What did parental figures define as good? Were you conditioned to go-go-go at the expense of your energy and health?Guess what, rest is productive! Give yourself permission to take breaks; be easy on yourself; rest when you need, and be prepared to disappoint people. You can still be responsible, stick with your commitments, have good follow through, and be productive. Remember, rest is productive!Sometimes you can’t MAKE something happen. When you are physically, mentally or otherwise exhausted, you must rest to rejuvenate.Rest may look different for you than for me. Some of us enjoy being with people and others of us want to be alone to recharge. Whatever it is for you, do something relaxing that you enjoy! Be intentional to rest and relax. Rest is first a choice. If you deny yourself rest, it will become a demand. What can you do when you’re tired and there’s not an opportunity to rest? 1.  Accept kindness. Don’t get caught up in qualifying how it has to look or what it has to be.2. Get outdoors! Nature is naturally grounding. 3. Practice compassion. Become compassionate towards yourself and others. Ex: When you’re frustrated with yourself and don’t like the way you’re responding, or perhaps you are unhappy with yourself that you can’t keep up with it all. You may want to say to yourself, “I’m doing the best I can, and what I have to offer is enough.” What we have to offer will vary depending on the season we’re in. You are doing the best you can, and that’s okay!4. Pause and Breathe. Throughout the day, slowly and deliberately inhale and exhale. By creating a lifestyle of rest we are showing up for ourselves in a tremendous way. We have always deserved this type of attention and care! Creating a lifestyle of rest is a really practical way of showing up for yourself to self parent.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/corinne-guido-powell/message