{"id":40380,"date":"2021-12-16T15:26:06","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T05:26:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/israelsmith.com\/?p=40380"},"modified":"2021-12-16T18:32:26","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T08:32:26","slug":"slow-down-and-rest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/israelsmith.com\/insights\/slow-down-and-rest\/","title":{"rendered":"Slow down and rest."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, here, now, I invite you to Slow Down and Rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genuinely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you read this, join me in taking a large, deep breath into your belly. Hold it for a moment, then exhale as slowly and long as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeat this a few times, and notice how much more centred, present, and grounded you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time of year, to me, feels like a flurry of deadlines, hard stops, cut-offs, all in the name of “by Christmas” or “before the end of the year”. And while I LOVE this time of year for the opportunities for reflection, and the gentle push to complete things to make way for the clean slate of a new year, I do also wonder about whether we sacrifice too much of ourselves in the pursuit of “done”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a beautiful crop.”<\/p>Ovid<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the pressures of this time of year, here’s what I know to be true:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can always<\/strong> make time to rest, and it is not a luxury, it is essential<\/em>. We cannot function properly at our best without adequate quality sleep and rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee, as much as I LOVE the beverage, is not a substitute for hours in bed asleep. (Much to my disdain!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what does good<\/strong> sleep actually look like? And how do we set ourselves up for the highest quality of restful sleep every night?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funny you should ask that. As part of my “Revisited” series of podcast episodes, this week we return to one of my most popular podcasts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Screw The Hustle, I’m Going To Bed.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may appear, on the surface, to be an endorsement of slacker mentality, or an expression of a long-held desire to be chronically lazy, it is instead a call to turn inward and give ourselves the rest and nourishment of sleep that we ALL need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I go into my own sleep routine, and all the tips and lessons I learned when I had chronically bad sleep, and as a result bad physical, emotional and mental health. I share the way I turned my sleep around, and what made my life feel at first bearable, and then subsequently an absolute joy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I became almost fanatical about my sleep schedule, and it has taken me many years to know myself well enough to “fudge” things here and there. But I have to say that when we are already depleted (*coughpandemiccough*) our need for quality rest is even higher than normal… and yet many of us find ourselves burning the candle at both ends even more right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not cool, Robert Frost.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, now, I must ask you a powerful question. And I invite you to be FULLY HONEST with yourself, in the privacy of your own brain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you giving yourself permission, time, and space to fully and deeply rest and restore yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the answer is NO, firstly know there is no judgement here. Allow yourself to be curious. And then consider this next question, again being fully honest with yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is this lack of rest <\/strong>costing you<\/strong><\/em> in your life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In your work? In your relationships? In your experiences of joy, play, fun, happiness, satisfaction? In your creativity and fulfilment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, I am sending you love, gratitude, and peace as we wrap up this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May you give yourself time to rest, deeply and long,
Israel. xo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holiday Unplug:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is my last article for 2021.<\/strong>

I’m taking some downtime with my wife and kids, and will be back with you in the middle of January. Have a wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may you enjoy plenty of quality time to rest and spend time with your loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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