The Challenge of Rest

(Extract from email newsletter April 24th, 2025.)

Recently, I got a chesty cough that stole my voice and left me wiped out. I tried to catch it early and go easy for a few days but then pushed myself a bit too much, a bit too soon and that's when it really took hold. What followed was a full week of forced rest, where I couldn't do much beyond the bare essentials.

Truly resting is a challenge! I found myself resisting proper rest while not doing anything productive either. I let all my good habits go and took up some bad ones instead like wasting time on my phone. None of that made me feel better. I know how important rest is but it is hard! It took a while but here's what I learned:

• A propped-up savasana (see photo) allows you to rest without coughing. Find any Restorative Yoga pose that gives you rest and do it!

• Reading a book gets you off your phone and is way more relaxing.

• On kick-starting good habits, start with a small win. For me that was gradually drinking more water again.

• Yoga keeps you sane and you can do a little yoga even when you've no energy. Just get on the floor and do something.

• It's hard but try to listen to your body and what it's ready for. Don't push it but don't let lethargy win either. This is definitely the hardest part but this is where recovery starts.

• And finally... having 4 hours to play Risk with your kids, even if no-one wins after 4 hours and even if I'm not doing that again, is precious.

My sickness was only a minor little thing but I think we all have times when, for whatever reason, we get pushed off track and we're not operating at 100%. I was surprised how hard it is to deal with that. Proper rest and gentle recovery is not as easy as it sounds! I hope some of this might help you when you need it.