The Power of Rest

by Shanda Brown

"Make sure you rest," "Don't forget to take care of you," and "You can't pour from an empty cup." These are the most common things we hear when it comes to rest...but oftentimes they are easier said than done. What if we told you there is more than one way to conquer “rest”? Here are a few ways the Move Ya Brass krewe likes to recover.

Body Recovery:

Great for when you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, or even restless. Moving your body is a great way to get the positive hormones endorphins, serotonin and dopamine going to encourage relaxation. Here are some great ways to let your body reset.

Stretch or Yoga (get the blood flowing)

Massage (release tension, inflammation, and stress in the body)

Uninterrupted Sleep (no alarms)

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Mind Recovery:

Rest goes far beyond your physical needs. Our mind needs a chance to not only be still but also be present. It's very easy to get caught up in the hustle or grind of life to the point where your mind is constantly thinking about what you've already done or what you still have left to do. It leaves us very little time to enjoy what's right in front of us in our present moments, the moments that count. Here are some ways to allow your mind a chance to "just be."

Meditate (sit still or take a walk, it's your world)

Unplug (no social media or phone for at least an hour)

Read/Journal (finish that book)

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Emotional/Soul/Spirit:

Taking it a step further means taking the time to reset our body, mind, and even more so- our spirit. I also like to think of it as our relationship with ourselves, beliefs, and priorities.

Me Time (Take yourself on a date/)

MeCation (Vacation with you, yourself, and YOU)

Community (Reconnect with those who fill your cup, love on you, and give you the space to be your most authentic self)

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There is a true gift you can give yourself by taking a moment to rest, no matter what it looks like. Don't forget to give yourself some grace if it doesn't go exactly how you planned. Just like workouts, consistent rest takes practice and disciples.

You got this!