"Come to me, all you, who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
~Matthew 11:28
When we're over tired, we often try to boost our energy with caffeine, sugar or carbs, which ultimately leaves us more tired than before. Jesus relaxed, and he offered his followers both physical and spiritual rest. If he didn't sacrifice rest but offered it as a gift, shouldn't we accept that gift? Turn to him for rest.
Relax. The simplest and fastest way to relax and reduce cortisol is to take five breaths. Count to five on the in breath, and count to five on the out breath. Do it five times. Another simple way to relax is to use calming scents.The scent of lavendar (or try geranium, cardamum, rose, sandalwood, and chamomile) has been used since ancient times for its calming, stress-relieving properties. This popular aroma reduces cortisol levels and promotes relaxation and stress reduction.
Refresh. Water is life. Because our bodies are 55 to 75% water, staying hydrated is paramount to being healthy. Water helps regulate our blood pressure and body temperature, helps improve circulation, and impacts heart rate. Water raises our metabolism, helps us feel full, removes wastes, lubricates joints, and boosts energy. Water helps prevent muscle cramping, flushes out impurities, and gives our skin a glow. When we don't get enough water, we may feel hungry, tired, and mentally foggy or get a headache.
If you like the fizz of soda, try sparkling waster or mineral water. For flavor, add a squeeze of lemon, lime or orange. Add a little natural juice such as pomegranate or watermelon juice (puree watermelon chunks in the blender and strain) mixed with lime. Add fresh mint leaves or a cucumber slice for a refreshing option.
Rest. Make sure you get enough sleep. Sleep at least 7-8 hours a night. Even losing one hour of sleep a night can cause you to crave more carbs, and you will end up eating more during the day. Sleep is God's gift, to accept that gift is an act of trust. Restful sleep gives us energy to exercise. It sharpens our focus and helps us to make good choices about food.
Today's Steps:
1. Spend a few minutes in God's word today.
2. Do something simple to relax.
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Plan to go to bed early enough to get 7-8 hours of sleep.