08 Feb The Two R’s – Part 1
A couple of years ago, I went to a really good seminar on treating persons with bi-polar disorder. Many things I learned that day have stuck with me but nothing more than this. The presenter said that the two most important things that those who suffer from bi-polar disorder need are rest and routine. Today’s blog is not about bi-polar per se but about the value of rest and routine for us all. I have come to believe since the day of this seminar that both are vitally important to everyone’s physical, mental and emotional health and that they are in alarmingly short supply. Today, let’s consider our need for rest and next month do the same with routine.
Let’s face it. We are exhausted. We are falling asleep at the wheel and losing steam in the afternoon. We are too tired to play with our kids or talk seriously to our wives. We collapse into bed, toss and turn because of all our stress, and wake up no more refreshed than when we hit the pillow. Products containing caffeine and stimulants are luring us in by suggesting that we can write a song, read a book, run a marathon, and twelve other things in one day with their help.
Of course, the awareness of needing rest and actually getting rest are very different things. I am only suggesting that you take seriously and give some attention to what you may need to do. For some it is making a bed time and sticking to it. Different people need different amounts of sleep but no one can get by very long on much less than six hours a night. Others get better rest when they have a reasonable and regular exercise routine (and lose weight!). Still others need to be careful about what they eat and drink before bedtime. Many are staying up far too late and allowing themselves too much latitude on when to awake. Then there are those who need more specific help and may need to do a sleep study or talk to a sleep specialist. There are many good ones out there.
I’m just saying this. You are probably not as rested as you need to be on regular basis. You might be getting by and getting most of it done but, my friend, when life throws the inevitable curve ball at you, will you have the energy and clarity to get through it? If you cannot answer yes to this question, get to work on getting some rest. Try some things. Read some books. Get some help. You need and deserve to feel better and being more rested might just be the answer!
