Not all rest is equally restful.

Have you noticed that?

There are plenty of things we do that are supposed to be restful but don’t leave me feeling refreshed or calm.

For example, I can scroll aimlessly on my phone for half an hour and somehow feel more depleted and anxious than when I started.

I can watch a series because I think I need to switch off, and afterwards still feel restless.

Do you know what I mean?

Distracting yourself isn’t necessarily the same as resting.

And even sleep can feel unsatisfying. You can wake up from a long sleep and still feel exhausted, right?

But then there are other things that are surprisingly restful.

The other day I was sitting between appointments and found myself staring out of the window.

The leaves on the trees were moving gently in the breeze.

I wasn’t trying to meditate or be 'mindful'.

I just… stopped for a minute, let my gaze soften and rest on the leaves moving in the breeze and allowed my mind to become blank.

It felt so good.

Things became still, my muscles relaxed, I found myself spontaneously breathing more deeply.

Then I got up to carry on with my day and I noticed that I felt lighter.

Clearer.

Quieter inside.

It only lasted about 90 seconds, but I genuinely felt refreshed.

That really interested me.

I think learning to rest well might be one of the most overlooked ingredients in creating a healthy, happy and sustainable life.

So I try to notice what genuinely leaves me feeling calmer, clearer and more like myself afterwards.

Not because I’m trying to become a better person.

Or a more productive one.

Simply because I like myself more when I feel rested.

I’m kinder.

I think more clearly.

I make better decisions.

I’m more patient with the people I love.

Life works better.

Just because I listened to myself and rested in the way that felt right for me.

This month inside The Portal of Permission, we’re exploring healthy rest in a really practical way.

If that sounds like something you want to learn, join us. Click HERE for info.

If I loved myself, how would I allow myself to rest today?