How to fit rest into your day ? I will say that stress is exhausting. When you have many responsibilities to accomplish in a day , focus on one thing at a time. If you reduce the stress , then rest is just a matter of closing your eyes.The video is a great idea ( No problems with viewing). I see very few nature writers include video in their posts. I always thought it would be a great idea . Unless it is in Notes, then too many looks more like advertisements than a beautiful little video.
Even the sunrise and sunsets you photograph, would make a lovely short video. The perfect stress reducer; an Rx for rest🤭
Stress is exhausting! As to videos, I know I don’t do them as often because they take more generally speaking. They are challenging with my camera because I don’t carry a tripod, so usually I only do them with my phone. I need to remember to do more sunrise videos though. Probably not in summer though!
I have learned a lot more about rest recently since I started listening to "nothing much happens" sleep stories. I listen during the day when I'm tired, at bedtime and to help me get out of bed in the morning. It helps my brain rest and relax and therefore my whole body follows suit. I enjoy recalling the little details of the stories and that is also restful. They turn off the busyness of my mind - and now I can tell more easily when I'm getting too busy brain wise and my whole rhythm has slowed. Giving myself verbal permission to rest and reassurance when i get anxious about is also helpful. Nature, always. Photography, always. Going to bed earlier helps a lot. I am getting better at refusing to yet another 'new' thing to help me with my healing or healing others - and trusting that what I have is enough. these are some of my 'favorite' things. <3
I also try to make choices increasingly based on "do I REALLY want to do this, and why?" a lot of habits are starting to be eliminated and there is more spaciousness in my day, which brings more restfulness as well as more presence.
I rest with just sitting, reading, or doing handwork. I keep hoping to sit in the sunroom and have managed that some, but not enough. Hearing the birds or a storm or kids in the neighborhood as I go through the day brings joy and a brief respite throughout the day.
I usually walk 3-6 miles daily (2-3 before breakfast), EXCEPT Sundays. I'm not Jewish, but I think God has given all of us a day to rest, without guilt. So on that day, I enjoy breakfast in my pajamas before going to church. However, after having radiation therapy after breast cancer surgery, I'm enduring massive RADIATION FATIGUE. I can barely walk around the house in the afternoons and usually crash into bed for 3 hours. (Sometimes I'm able to listen to audiobooks in those times.) So there is a conscripted REST that we don't necessarily want as well as one we choose. I'm hoping this time of fatigue will not last long and I can return to my miles outdoors soon. (If you like, you can read my Substack post: ( https://open.substack.com/pub/houchin/p/clobbered-in-radiations-aftermath?r=4e5di&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )
My Question... what is YOUR favorite ways to Rest?
That kind of fatigue, when your body must conserve its energy for healing, is definitely challenging. May your healing go well and you be back to walking soon! I walk 2-3 miles in the morning too (but not again in the afternoon) and I have definitely missed it in times when I can't do it.
I'm pondering this rest thing a lot because I'm not the best at it. So I'm experimenting with different forms of rest, including "active rest". For me, helping my mind to rest is one of my biggest challenges. Qigong is one of my favorite ways. Journaling, listening to music, guided meditations or self-hypnosis, and somatic movement are others. I'm curious now about how to do things in a more restful state as well. I'll probably be writing more about this! Thanks for asking!
As always, your post is jam packed with beauty and very fun stuff. The video with audio brought my cat to look at the screen and then search behind the laptop for those birds! He is very interested in both the laptop and the tv and totally understands that the remote has something to do with the tv. He truly loves classical music which we listen to on Xfinity ... a lot! Absolutely quiets him down. When some of today's goings on upset me, I have a plan. I start by cutting back on caffeine in all of its forms. I plan a few days of easy to prepare meals, like sheet pan veggies, one pot soups or stews and simple but tasty bites. I do some laundry and clean and fluff up the house ... activity like this is actually relaxing for me. Then I shower and select a book from a favorite author and let the world go by.
Easy for me to rest..I'm retired after all! And my aging brain likes to zone out anyway!! I just sit on my porch perch, watch the birds hopping and flying about, drinking and fluttering wings in the bird baths-. life is very slow paced!
Rest for me is usually the three S's -- solitude, silence, and serenity. I step back from "society," quiet as much as possible both my inner and outer worlds, and seek what gives my soul a sense of peace. Usually that is something in nature or lovely images, such as art or your soothing nature photography. Being near water always helps. I turn off my mind, even for enjoyable reading, and just let my senses be bathed. I find that "resting in" is the perfect antidote for me when I need "resting from." Wishing you all the rest you need and crave this weekend.
I believe it. Look how good the ‘Reflection’ video came out with the
iPhone, so much clarity.
I guess the iPhone has an advantage
after all. Surely not with photographs.
I actually take most of my sunrise and landscape photos with my iPhone now believe it or not.
How to fit rest into your day ? I will say that stress is exhausting. When you have many responsibilities to accomplish in a day , focus on one thing at a time. If you reduce the stress , then rest is just a matter of closing your eyes.The video is a great idea ( No problems with viewing). I see very few nature writers include video in their posts. I always thought it would be a great idea . Unless it is in Notes, then too many looks more like advertisements than a beautiful little video.
Even the sunrise and sunsets you photograph, would make a lovely short video. The perfect stress reducer; an Rx for rest🤭
Stress is exhausting! As to videos, I know I don’t do them as often because they take more generally speaking. They are challenging with my camera because I don’t carry a tripod, so usually I only do them with my phone. I need to remember to do more sunrise videos though. Probably not in summer though!
Love the baby ducks ❤️👍
Thank you!
I rest in meditation saying silently - nothing to do, nowhere to go. It stills both my body and mind and brings a sense of ease, calm.
Someday I will achieve that level of meditation!
I have learned a lot more about rest recently since I started listening to "nothing much happens" sleep stories. I listen during the day when I'm tired, at bedtime and to help me get out of bed in the morning. It helps my brain rest and relax and therefore my whole body follows suit. I enjoy recalling the little details of the stories and that is also restful. They turn off the busyness of my mind - and now I can tell more easily when I'm getting too busy brain wise and my whole rhythm has slowed. Giving myself verbal permission to rest and reassurance when i get anxious about is also helpful. Nature, always. Photography, always. Going to bed earlier helps a lot. I am getting better at refusing to yet another 'new' thing to help me with my healing or healing others - and trusting that what I have is enough. these are some of my 'favorite' things. <3
There is so much wisdom in this!! Especially "refusing yet another 'new' thing..." Thank you Susi!
I also try to make choices increasingly based on "do I REALLY want to do this, and why?" a lot of habits are starting to be eliminated and there is more spaciousness in my day, which brings more restfulness as well as more presence.
This is so important! I tend to overwhelm myself with things I think I want to do.
me too. mY eyes are bigger than my true capacity
After I read this I was making dinner and the phrase "your eyes are bigger than your stomach" was in my head.
I rest with just sitting, reading, or doing handwork. I keep hoping to sit in the sunroom and have managed that some, but not enough. Hearing the birds or a storm or kids in the neighborhood as I go through the day brings joy and a brief respite throughout the day.
Sounds! Like music, I found some sounds very soothing and restful! Wishing you plenty of rest dear Aunt Kathy.
I usually walk 3-6 miles daily (2-3 before breakfast), EXCEPT Sundays. I'm not Jewish, but I think God has given all of us a day to rest, without guilt. So on that day, I enjoy breakfast in my pajamas before going to church. However, after having radiation therapy after breast cancer surgery, I'm enduring massive RADIATION FATIGUE. I can barely walk around the house in the afternoons and usually crash into bed for 3 hours. (Sometimes I'm able to listen to audiobooks in those times.) So there is a conscripted REST that we don't necessarily want as well as one we choose. I'm hoping this time of fatigue will not last long and I can return to my miles outdoors soon. (If you like, you can read my Substack post: ( https://open.substack.com/pub/houchin/p/clobbered-in-radiations-aftermath?r=4e5di&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )
My Question... what is YOUR favorite ways to Rest?
That kind of fatigue, when your body must conserve its energy for healing, is definitely challenging. May your healing go well and you be back to walking soon! I walk 2-3 miles in the morning too (but not again in the afternoon) and I have definitely missed it in times when I can't do it.
I'm pondering this rest thing a lot because I'm not the best at it. So I'm experimenting with different forms of rest, including "active rest". For me, helping my mind to rest is one of my biggest challenges. Qigong is one of my favorite ways. Journaling, listening to music, guided meditations or self-hypnosis, and somatic movement are others. I'm curious now about how to do things in a more restful state as well. I'll probably be writing more about this! Thanks for asking!
As always, your post is jam packed with beauty and very fun stuff. The video with audio brought my cat to look at the screen and then search behind the laptop for those birds! He is very interested in both the laptop and the tv and totally understands that the remote has something to do with the tv. He truly loves classical music which we listen to on Xfinity ... a lot! Absolutely quiets him down. When some of today's goings on upset me, I have a plan. I start by cutting back on caffeine in all of its forms. I plan a few days of easy to prepare meals, like sheet pan veggies, one pot soups or stews and simple but tasty bites. I do some laundry and clean and fluff up the house ... activity like this is actually relaxing for me. Then I shower and select a book from a favorite author and let the world go by.
Mmmm, I love that plan so much.
Read a book for fun! (Without a pen in my hand...)
Stop and look at your offerings. Seriously. Life in the Real World SLOWS me.
Thank you for that and wishing you a wondrous birthday!
Awww, thank you Alison! I hope that because I crave rest and peace so much, that it ends up being what I put out into the world.
Easy for me to rest..I'm retired after all! And my aging brain likes to zone out anyway!! I just sit on my porch perch, watch the birds hopping and flying about, drinking and fluttering wings in the bird baths-. life is very slow paced!
That sounds so nice! I'm showing this to my flighty brain and saying "see, this would be so nice!"
Sounds quite perfect... I find it encouraging to know that some people know what to do with retirement :)
Beautiful images and I like that video of the Barn Swallows Karen! Happy birthday weekend!
Thank you Neil!
Rest for me is usually the three S's -- solitude, silence, and serenity. I step back from "society," quiet as much as possible both my inner and outer worlds, and seek what gives my soul a sense of peace. Usually that is something in nature or lovely images, such as art or your soothing nature photography. Being near water always helps. I turn off my mind, even for enjoyable reading, and just let my senses be bathed. I find that "resting in" is the perfect antidote for me when I need "resting from." Wishing you all the rest you need and crave this weekend.
Mmmm, yes. I love this Lauren. And yes, water help! I'm working on that "turning off my mind" or at least dialing it back a bit.
what comes up for me to say to you after your last photo:
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer…
- Nat King Cole
I was thinking of "lazy, hazy days of summer" when I was writing but I didn't know the song or the tune! Thanks for this Sharon.
LOVE that old song! That old Bilbao Moon, I won't forget it soon....