If you’re like me, you are busy. Super Busy. Crazy Busy.  And being that busy for that long can make you super crazy and stressed.  No thanks.  I promise organizing your life includes taking rest days and really resting. You deserve this.

Take time to relax.

Think about things you really like to do and make sure you’re scheduling them into your time regularly.  Whether it’s a hot bath, a walk/run in the neighborhood, or reading a chapter in your favorite book – anything that relaxes you works. When we lived in Baltimore, I’d sit on my back porch every morning and it’s a practice I still continue most days, even now.  Just a few minutes outside and I’m ready to go.  You know what you like to do, incorporate it into your life every day.

Don’t feel guilty about lazy days.

It’s important to spend time doing things you like.  And don’t feel guilty for taking time for yourself.  When you’re more refreshed, you’re better for it and you’ll treat the others in your life better too.  There are some days that I’ll take a nap in the middle of the day (most weekends) and I feel more refreshed when I wake up.  And there are many days when I realize I need to excuse myself for rest – if I don’t I start to become unbearable – and no one wants that.  Your lazy days give you a chance to get back to your best self.  Don’t feel guilty – you should be excited!

Exercise helps too.  

If your mind is going 100 miles a minute, you could be exhausted with all of the things you’re thinking about.  Consider writing them down and going for a walk/run.  Even 15 minutes of exercise can make a big difference in your energy level, your ability to sleep better and lower your stress.

You deserve rest.  Take time for yourself and make your down time a priority.  It will improve your focus when you’re ready to jump back into your work time.  But, for now, just rest.