Relaxation Day Is For Everyone!
There is an enormous amount of information available which indicates taking time to rest is not only a good thing, it’s a necessity. It’s even stated in the Bible as a command! This time of rest gives our bodies the ability to ‘catch up’ on all the energies used throughout the week! It’s a necessary rejuvenation that is scientifically proven. that will help keep us healthy and at our best when done each week!
Physical tiredness, social media drama, emotional exhaustion and other kinds of tiredness sneak up on us and play havoc with our immune systems.
I’m the first to admit, that slowing down, even for one day can be a struggle. It honestly must be a decision, because otherwise I could just keep going and going…likely until I drop or get so tired, “I’m stupid”. I’m one of those odd souls who when I become exhausted, my brain essentially shuts down. I start doing things that are totally wrong! I talk backwards and correctly! (That takes ridiculous effort when I’m thinking straight!), I don’t process normal things right; like putting the toaster in the fridge, or other weird behaviors.
SCHEDULE TIME TO REST
All that said, I was surprised to discover there is a day set aside as 'Relaxation Day" — August 15, to encourage everyone to take a day and just relax. It’s considered a ‘fun’ holiday; not on the calendar which is designated as a ‘Federal holiday’, so no one gets to take off mandatory work, but it does encourage a time set aside to rest! —But alas, just one day a year is hardly enough to allow anyone to actually benefit, long term, from taking time to rest.
Stress management can be an area where many of us falter. We keep battling, thinking we’ll get through the difficulty until we push ourselves to the point of high blood pressure, heart problems or any variety of other illnesses. This applies not only to caregivers, but also those with disabilities. Keeping calm in different circumstances can be extremely difficult if we aren’t prepared with ways to manage it, making it even more difficult to manage small, every day events.
RELAXING CAN BE HARD
Many of us struggle, or simply don’t know how, to relax and step back (or say ‘no’!), because we have the desire to be the best we can be, as we fight to climb the corporate ladder!
Life in general can be stressful. Between work, our social lives, children, (or grown children taking care of aging parents), demands for society, committees we’ve agreed to work with, education, and a long list of obligations we’ve inadvertently put on our plate until it’s running over in 103 different directions, leaves us going until we're totally burned out!
The dedication of caregivers for children with a disability; or grown children caring for aging parents, are rewarding, but can be incredibly challenging. Between therapy scheduling, the personal attention required, and medical needs being taken care of, caregivers are maxed at energy level requirements every day! This ‘fun holiday’ can lead to a reminder to ‘schedule’ in personal time to recoup from the exhaustion and overwhelming feelings which can sometimes cloud any given day. This would be highly deserved self-care!
OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS HAPPY
Generally speaking, the dedication we have to our work places, our friends and family, and simply life itself, can tax us. And even in these environments, when life doesn’t seem like it’s terrible stressful, we still need to take the time to recharge and refresh. Our immune systems will thank us as they can work at the maximum levels without causing breakdowns to the point of illness!