Me: “What seems to be getting in the way?”
Client: “I’m just so tired all the time.”
Me: “You’re tired ALL the time?”
Client: “Yes.”
Me: “Is there ever a time you feel energized?”
Client: “No.”
Me: “How long have you felt this way?”
Client: “Years. I don’t know, maybe I’m subconsciously sabotaging myself. Maybe it feels safer to be overweight.”
Me: “That may be there. And we can certainly explore it. But I’m curious about another aspect that could also be impacting your motivation. Do you take a weekly day off from the hustle and bustle of your life? A Sabbath rest?”
Client: (Strange, confused look on face) “No.”
Me: “Have you ever?”
Client: “No. I hear about it at church sometimes, but I’ve never actually done it.”
The above conversation is not an isolated incident. I’ve had many clients this past year report that they never take a day off to rest. They work everyday, whether at their employment or tasks around the home; they never take a day to slow down. Even if they do squeeze in time Saturday or Sunday for worship, it’s one more thing in an already crowded schedule of busyness. No wonder many of us have little to no energy! That’s what happens when we don’t take time to recharge.
Pencils need to be sharpened, fields need to lie fallow, and even Macs need to be shut off every now and then. And people need a weekly rest. The medical community has identified a weekly ebb and flow in mammals and even plants called Circaseptan Rhythms. In humans, these rhythms regulate hormones, blood pressure, immune response and more, and rise and fall in patterns of about 7 days. There is type of biological reset that takes place on or around day 7 every week. This is fascinating! We are biologically designed for a reset once a week, and we can reap tremendous benefits when we start working with it rather than against it.
One of the best ways to recharge is actually to unplug. A Tech Sabbath. Some of your hearts just about stopped. I know. Unthinkable—take a break from the internet, email, texting and movies on demand???? Yep. A weekly rest is not a call to veg out in front of the TV or internet for 8 hours. I’ve experimented with this—really, I so wanted it to work!—but have found it to have a dulling rather than sharpening effect on my mind, body and spirit. And as for compulsively checking email, texts, facebook, twitter, instagram, blogs, etc.—it’s just a reflection of my hidden belief that my life and the lives of others will fall apart if I’m not constantly attending to it all. Practicing a weekly Tech Sabbath has proven otherwise.
Socrates said, “ Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” Taking a weekly rest, intentionally shutting down “busy” one day a week, will not only protect you from exhaustion and burnout longterm, it will elevate the quality of your life and contribution every day that follows. It will fuel your creativity, generosity, problem-solving, spiritual growth, kindness, health, mood, energy, productivity, relationships, income, decisions, focus and fun. Try it and see!
To Your Great Life!
Becky
