The past two weeks we’ve been talking about to-do lists, or better yet—to-day lists. 
As a follow I wanted to also talk about rest and play. In this world, especially in our country we work, work, work and do do do without making much time to rest or play. But both are essential to living fuller, happier lives. When there’s too much on your list or daily activities you end up wearing yourself down physically and mentally. Your energy is frazzled, you’re snappy, resentful and tired. Things fall through the cracks or mistakes are made.
It’s so easy to get in that mode because we’ve been programmed to sit and do nothing is to be lazy or a slacker, unmotivated. That’s what I hear from my clients and myself. And, those thoughts are what drive us to over schedule and overfill our lists.
This week I want to invite you to experiment with rest and play. As you’re looking at your daily schedule and to-day list notice where there is also time for rest? What about play? Even if it’s only 5 or 10 minutes in the beginning as you get comfortable. Can you go to bed a bit earlier? Can you shut off the computer and/or your phone and dive into a book or a TV show that allows you to “play” so to say? Can you stay longer in bed on the weekend?
If you have animals pay attention to how they behave. They play like crazy—then they flop down and sleep soundly. Or, they jump up after sleeping for a minute to go investigate something, that’s because they’re rested.
What are some ways you can begin resting and playing in your life this week? It doesn’t have to be sleeping as rest and it doesn’t have to be running around as play. Just think of things that allow you to relax and settle down as rest and things that light up your heart and feed your soul as play. Get creative. See what happens.
