The Art of Rest

We teach, model, and impart many things on our children. Sometimes intentionally, and other times, unintentionally. Nevertheless, on a daily basis, our children watch us and begin to form and develop ideas about what it looks like to be and to do. They pick up our habits and rhythms, some healthy and some not as much. What would you say your babies are learning from you? What do you want them to learn?

Something I’ve wanted my babies to learn from me is that rest is good and necessary. I admit rest hasn’t always been easy to accomplish, but I’ve been on a journey to learn what it means and what it looks like. Our modern culture often promotes busyness and plunges us into having overscheduled calendars. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the things that take up space in our day can be good and necessary, but that is why we need to rest our bodies and minds. 

I believe teaching ourselves and our children how to rest will yield benefits now and later. But what does it mean to rest? First, a quick Google search brings me to this definition: freedom from activity or labor. The Merriam-Webster Thesaurus offers a synonym that I like: decompression. I would add to these that rest is the act of making a margin in the day or week for the body and mind to restore and reset. You may be thinking, “Nope, Angie. That’s not happening!”  But stay with me. It is possible to create margin for the unplanned and unrushed.

What does it look like? Rest can look many ways and take different forms. I will assure you that it’s not limited to idleness and sitting in deafening silence. The idea of being still may be scary for some of you … this forty-something-year-old lady seeks it! Rest has looked many different ways for me and my family, individually and as a whole.  Recently, I decided to ask both of my grown-ish children the question:

How have you navigated balancing school and extracurricular activities?

Lea (sophomore at Mizzou): I would say it depends on the season. There’s not one certain thing. I’ve made sure more than ever to [prioritize] my mental health, physical health, and overall health. You can’t get any work done if you don’t have energy or any motivation. 

Benji (high school junior): For me, I’ve learned my limits. I know I get tired past 10 pm, studying past that won’t do me any good. So just knowing what you can handle. Instead of staying up late, I wake up early. You have to find out what works best for you.

I invite you to determine what rest looks like for you and your family in this season.  Maybe ask your children!

Ultimately, this is what I hope I’ve imparted to our children about rest: 

• It is productive to rest.  

There is a faulty narrative that says rest is wasteful and not a good use of time. On the contrary, rest is restorative and deserves time. Rest is a productive action, but not one that we often consider as the action of “doing.”  Think about how doctors often prescribe the act of rest as one of the things “to do” when recovering from illness or injury.

• You have permission to rest.

Sometimes, we may be the biggest barrier to getting rest. Perhaps it’s guilt and fear that keep us from giving ourselves permission to rest. I can’t … I don’t have time …I’ll miss out … I can’t afford to …Yet, to not give ourselves permission to rest may come at a cost. We run ourselves ragged, we start to feel overwhelmed, we feel the onset of illness, fuel anxiety, or cheat ourselves from feeling more clear-headed and energized.

• Rest brings balance.

It is not sustainable to go, go, go. Rest helps bring balance in a way that tends to our hearts, minds, and bodies. It allows space to breathe, to let go, and to delight in the ordinary. It brings balance in a way that allows us to be steady and to move forward with equilibrium. It also brings freedom from schedules and “have to’s.” This is the balanced diet I want!

Friends, I’m here to remind you that rest is good and vital to healthy living.  Let us embrace the art of rest, so our lives are woven with rhythms that fill and restore. Mommies, find comfort in knowing that rest has the power to carry us through the maze of life’s challenges and demands. 

What does rest look like for your family? How can you start today?

Slow down, child

Hear and notice the birds chirping

Watch the sun rise

Feel the wind blow

Make room to be

Slow down

Sit in the pause

Embrace the unplanned

Let your mind and body

Find rest

It’s okay

You were made to rest

Slow down, child