The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is among us. The final two months of the year are often filled with parties, events, programs, and so much more! Earlier in the year we talked about the importance of rest. Not just sleep, but true REST. Now more than ever our bodies crave (and oftentimes need) to rest. It is important during the next several weeks to take time to truly rest for immune system support and so you can feel your best!
The Team at Eureka! Would like to offer these tips to maintain REST during the holidays!
Tip #1: Prioritize Sleep
With the late evening parties and programs it can be hard to maintain your normal rhythm of getting to bed at a decent hour. Remember as adults we need at least 7- 8 hours of quality sleep per night. During the holiday season make sure you are maintaining your sleep routines at least 5-6 nights per week. Here are ten tips to help with a good night sleep:
#1: Eat a light protein whole food snack around bedtime (boiled egg, spoonful of nut butter, handful of almonds) helps to keep blood sugar stable throughout the night.
#2: Keep your sleeping space as DARK as possible
#3: Avoid screen time 30 minutes before bed
#4: Avoid drinking (especially caffeine) an hour before bedtime
#5: Read the right type of relaxing, inspirational material before bed, and make a quick list of anything on your mind that you want to remember the next day, so your brain can shut down.
#6: 150 minutes of exercise per week has been shown to improve sleep quality (30 min. walk 5 days a week)
#7: Lower electromagnetic fields in bedroom (avoid charging cell phones, devices by your bed, use grounded sheets)
#8: Keep the room COOL. Temperatures for sleep should be less than 70 degrees fahrenheit
#9: Invest in a quality mattress
#10: Use minerals like Natural Calm in warm water or trace mineral blend supplement or Epsom salt bath to soak feet before bed
Tip #2: Schedule time for Mental Rest
From end of the year deadlines, to shopping lists and preparing for guests you may feel stretched extra thin during the holiday season. By scheduling time to take a mental rest, it can help from feeling burnout. What does mental rest look like for you? Here are five tips of ways you can experience mental rest:
#1: Schedule an evening during the week without any activities/events.
#2: Keep a notebook and pen beside your bed to unload all your thoughts before bedtime.
#3: Enjoy a true day of rest on a Sunday after church.
#4: Make exercise a priority, a simple walk every day (especially outdoors weather permitting) can help clear your mind.
#5: Unplug from your phone or social media for an evening or day.
Tip #3: Focus on Spiritual Rest
Filling our spirit with truth (God’s word), joy and peace will allow for spiritual rest. Our spirits set us apart from any other creature on earth. Our spirit is our connection point to eternity that holds our belief system. We find meaning, purpose, belonging, peace and fulfillment when we take time to rest our spirits by filling it with faith in the Creator God.
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The Lord will give Rest to those who seek Him.
Hebrews 4:9 “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” This promise is one of a future time when our work has ceased. But the example of God resting from his work temporarily still holds true as a model of living today. A temporary rest one day a week significantly increases our productivity the other six days!! Take God at His word and commit to ceasing from work for one day a week.
Would you like more information on how to incorporate rest into your daily routine? Building restful habits, following rest promoting hygiene, and supporting rest related hormones can allow you to take control of your body’s energy management. The REST RX protocol provides practical, holistic tools to implement to restore rest to your body’s energy systems. Join here: REST RX Protocol