Tips: On how to Power Rest constructively

I remember watching my Dad taking his afternoon siesta (not that he had planned it that way!)

His lunch over, he would sit on a straight backed chair because he was determined to remain alert.

Slowly his eyes would close (like young children do when they desperately want to stay awake)

Then his head would start a gradual journey forwards as it got heavier

And suddenly he would jerk himself upright

Gradually, it would all start again….

Each time he would go a little more forward till he sprang back up again.

Then after his head dipped lower for the umpteenth time his whole back would follow his head…

I always wondered if he would fall off his chair, but he never did.

The thing is, do you know how to take time out when you need it, in a positive way?

After the festivities, the merriment died down, or in the midst of any and every day, how do you grab a moment to boost the energy?

Do you know the art of re-booting yourself to continue a lively active day?

A constructive STOP!

Children do it! They know just when to take time out

No matter where they are, the rest takes itself!

So every muscle stops holding, each nerve ending has a rest, all the brain cells plumped again.

Here it is, the Power Rest: my favourite ‘take time out’ tool.

It’s very simple, very effective, takes no more that 10 to 15 minutes (and 5 if that is all you’ve got).

So you can spring back energised and full of the BEST YOU!

A quick guide to a constructive POWER REST to find your sparkle!

Place yourself on the floor, (see the picture) head on a book so it is resting easy, not collapsing down (use a second book if it is necessary) nor making your chin tuck into your chest. Your knees are up and your hands on your lower rib cage.

All physical movement stills, the whole body is quiet.

This takes the gravitational pull off the muscles and lets the whole body ‘undo’

It lets the body tune out and gives the mind time to tune back in.

While the body rests, the mind can STOP the ‘I am tired’ mantra and turn on to GO again.

Added bonus; the breathing laps up the ease and open comfort!

The magical mystery of this is, everything gives in to the BIG STOP and all kinds of improving happens.

Add some mental instruction to this…give mind to the spine ‘smiling’ as the muscles let go, the ‘smile’ runs the whole way right down from the top of the head, the face, cheeks, tongue; down the whole torso to the feet.

As you think these things, your whole body listens and…..