Find Rest
So you can slay another day
I’ve been doing my best to raise awareness and protest against this stuff, but it feels like there is always more to do, and the fight is never-ending. I’m finding it difficult to stay optimistic and energized day after day.”
It's important to take care of yourself, especially during times of intense stress - which can seem like a lot of the time these days.
Many of us tend to think of rest as our reward for completing hard work. Rest is not a reward, but a biological necessity – essential for us to function, and to repair our minds and bodies from the wear and tear of daily living.
Remember that you are not alone, and that your resilience and advocacy make a difference - and so do your peace and your pain, your chill and your cheer.
You’re valued for so much more than what you have to offer or how much you can produce.
Every part of you is important and matters.
It’s okay to take a step back and prioritize your own well-being. It’s okay to ask for help and to take the time you need to recharge and to heal. Rest is not selfish – it’s an urgent, non-negotiable requirement for living.
Tips and Tools
Set Some Limits
Setting boundaries around your intake of news and social media may be helpful. While it’s important to stay informed, it’s also important to protect your health. Consider taking breaks from social media or limiting your exposure to news that may activate feelings of anxiety or overwhelm. You don’t have to take on the responsibility of being fully aware, correcting all misinformation, or advocating in every thread – and certainly not battling every troll – especially at the cost of your energy.
Make Time to Recharge
Each of us needs recharging in different ways. If you’re a planner – putting time in your schedule for rest may help you honor your needs. Depending on who we are or how we’re feeling, recharging may mean finding ways to connect with our community, making time for our comfort shows, or exploring new hobbies and interests. For those of us who live with chronic illness or disability, which includes many of us who experienced tough childhoods, rest plays an even more significant role in our lives, and prioritizing it is even more urgent for our ability to keep fighting the good fight.
Spend time in Nature
Being in nature improves our health while calming our mind and body. Being in nature can lower blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce stress and pain. Time in nature renews our mind too, boosting our attention span, mood, and ability to focus. Even if we’re by ourselves, experiencing nature can make us feel more connected and bring a greater sense of belonging. When we can’t get outside, or if we don’t have access to nature that we can enjoy, virtual experiences can bring us similar benefits.
Resources
From Greater Good in Action by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, in collaboration with HopeLab, this brief how-to offers research-based practices for taking breaks from digital devices or apps to help reduce stress and free up time.
From the Trevor Project and Instagram, this guide helps LGBTQ young people make their experience on Instagram positive and intentional.
This groove by Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry, is designed to pull you deep into the portal of rest.
Kayak through icebergs, fly over an active volcano, trek through a cave, gaze up at the night sky, or swim through a coral reef – no passport required.
From the thriving kelp forests of Channel Islands to the treasured coral reefs of the Florida Keys, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects a network of underwater parks. Explore the treasures of the deep – and experience the benefits of nature.
Wherever we are in our own journeys - we could all use some care and support.
You’re so totally worth it.