Finding rest is key to staying healthy

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35882708_SYou know that ample sleep and time to relax is important to your health, but it can be so difficult when you have an unending to-do list. How can you find rest when so many good things are pulling you in different directions? Perhaps these tips can help:

Simply say ‘No’. It can be the hardest word to say. The next time someone asks you to commit to something and you aren’t sure, simply say ‘No’. Even better, say it without giving a reason why. You aren’t just saying no, you are protecting your time and energy.

Take a day (or less) to yourself. If you can’t take a full day, consider taking half a day. If that isn’t possible, consider taking just an hour. You don’t have to make a dramatic retreat of it. Simply take the time to quiet yourself. Perhaps all you can afford is the time to take a walk, read a chapter or two in your book, or simply enjoy your favorite beverage on the porch.

Walk away from your phone. We are so accustomed to being available at a moment’s notice. Simply walk away from your phone. If that isn’t possible, turn it to airplane mode for a while. If that isn’t possible, consider setting your phone down and walking away for even 10 minutes. Then keep extending that time.

Ignore that notification alert. When your phone rings with a call, text, email, or social media alert, know that you don’t have to respond right away. It is OK to not answer that phone or reply to that email immediately. Of course, emergencies and work deadlines will need prompt attention, but otherwise, be selective about who and what gets your attention.

Simply play. Do you remember what you enjoyed doing or wanted to try before life got busy and full? Incorporate that back into your life. Again, it may not be possible to take a whole day to “play,” but find some way to get that enjoyment back into your life each day.

You aren’t being selfish by following these tips to find rest. You are simply taking care to be the best and healthiest you!

How to spend more time as a family — without the electronics

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27592886_MFamily time is not what it used to be. You know the scene… dinner is over, homework is done and the family is gathered in the living room … lost in their own electronics. No one’s mad at each other or avoiding conversation; they are just keeping themselves busy the best way they know — by crushing candy, browsing social media and taking amazing selfies. If you are looking for some great ways to disengage the electronics and engage the family, then keep reading!

Break out the board games. Dust off that Monopoly game and clear off the coffee table! Sit around and play a game that doesn’t involve a screen and that dishes out some healthy competition. Short on time? There are plenty of games that can be played in less than a half hour.

Go outside! There are so many things you can do: go for a walk, shoot some hoops, plant a garden or just sit and take in a beautiful sunset.

Play a family video game. Electronics are not bad. It’s just that we all tune each other out when we’re on our own devices. However, nothing will bring a family together like a competitive game of Mario Kart! Pick a game that can have multiple players and battle it out! Let the more experienced players help the little ones (or older ones!), so no one feels left out.

Go for a drive. Pile into the car sans electronics and go for a drive. Go to an overlook to see the town or down a country road with the windows down. Go get an ice cream cone after dinner. Refrain from watching TV on this voyage.

For a moment, dial it back to how it used to be. When you’re done, everyone can return to electronic life and catch up on Facebook, get some homework help or upload that cute photo of the kids riding quietly in the backseat. Technology can be great – but so can some old-fashioned family time.