I finally managed to make it overseas in September and spent two whole weeks on holiday in Spain. Many of my friends had decided foreign travel was too much of a risk for them so had stayed closer to home. I, however, was determined to find sunshine. The effort of getting my head around the Covid admin paid off and what a joy it was! After my return home the rest of the month sped by, taking with it the ‘return to routine’ frenzy that always comes as we return to ‘business as usual’, scrambling to get the kids back into school and forcing ourselves back into a working pattern. Even October is now almost over. On Sunday the clocks will change and the darker months will be upon us. Once again, we are hurtling towards the end of another year where no doubt we will fall over the finishing line in an exhausted heap.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the ‘The Real Fuel Crisis’ and commented on the lack of energy and motivation I had been feeling pre-holiday and that I was noticing in many of my individual and organisational clients. It resonated with many. While there were a few suggestions about what we might do about it, I thought I would add mine to the mix. The first one I want to write about is related to the speed of time, the frenzy of the hamster wheel and the culture of ‘doing’. And it is a simple suggestion about learning how to rest.
I spent one of my holiday weeks at a yoga retreat. I had booked it very last minute and, characteristically, had not read the detail. So I was surprised (and a little disappointed) to discover on arrival that it was a restorative yoga retreat which meant that I would be spending four to five hours a day lying down. Yep. You heard that right: lying down. Now I am a big fan of self-care and by no means a ‘live to work’ kind of gal these days, but even I had some reservations about the levels of inactivity of which I was a) capable and b) deserving. Was this really a legitimate way to spend so much time?
It may come as something of a surprise to hear that within about ten minutes of the first class starting, I was a convert: head down in ‘prone’ position, body cushioned, mind completely still. And when I say ‘completely”, I mean COMPLETELY. Not a flicker of a thought. It would be fair to say that I took to restorative yoga like a veritable Olympian. I was a natural! Whilst perky and full of jokes and energy in between classes (and sometimes in between poses), during the pose, I was totally still and experienced a level of rest that felt more restorative than any night’s sleep I had had for a long time. Aided by bolsters, blocks, straps, chairs and even the odd sandbag (a story for another time, perhaps) I spent over twenty hours horizontal that week, doing absolutely nothing. And not only did I enjoy it and feel the benefits of it, I was also good at it!! I was even named the teacher’s best pupil — something which I continue to wear as a badge of honour!
And yet, I hear you say, is doing nothing for a week really anything to be proud of? I mean, it is not really the done thing, is it? We value activity and productivity. We admire action and being busy. We do not tend to congratulate or reward people for spending hours resting or taking care of themselves. No wonder, perhaps, that so many of us are not very good at it. We have minds that won’t switch off, we are unable to sit still, let alone lie down for long and are glued to electronic devices that endlessly stimulate us. Millions struggle with insomnia and millions more reach for unhealthy props to facilitate relaxation (alcohol, work, Netflix, pills, food etc).
But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could perfect the art of resting such that we were able to be and give of our best to those we love and the communities and organisations we serve? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if now, in particular, after months of prolonged stress, loss, isolation and anxiety, we could treat ourselves to some stillness and restoration? Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we promoted and advocated for restorative practices that nourished us physically and emotionally in and out of work?
Personally, I am sold! My new bolsters and eye pillow arrived the week after my return from Spain and I am proud to report that despite being back in London, I have not lost the art of active rest.
So tell me: how good are you at resting? How often do you do nothing? How easy do you find it to rest in stillness and how many practices do you have in your life that nourish and restore you?