Emotional Rest - Are We Living Sustainably?

Let me start by writing that I am not perfect and am never 100% living a life of emotional rest. I’ve been blessed to learn how to get there when I’m not. Here’s what I’ve found helps me. Well, so far at least.

Processing: I find rest when I process things out by prayer or talking with a trusted friend or mentor. If I’ve been up against a challenge, taking each “bothersome” detail and finding a powerful positive for it, brings balance. Takes a little while to do, but it's so worth it.
I try my best to keep in mind that I can’t change what already occurred, but I can choose how I react or respond to it. I’d rather choose health, life and much joy.  


Mindfulness: Whether it’s household chores, researching, reading, I need down time in between. Taking a break between tasks allows for a recharge. Even if it’s just 5 minutes. I close my eyes, breathe deeply, and do mind-body check
What’s a mind-body check?
  1. Are my brows furrowed? (I soften them)
  2. Is my jaw clenched? (whoa, unclench it)
  3. Are my shoulders shrugged? (I relax them down)
  4. Am I wringing my hands or holding them in a fist? (I open my hands and rest them on my lap)
  5. Are my toes curled or relaxed? (gently relax them)
  6. Is my breath shallow or deep in and out and rhythmic? (I begin to breathe deeply)
  7. How grateful am I right now? (I proceed to find a few things in the moment)
  8. What is my most dominant thought? (If it’s to rush or be stressed, I deal with it in prayer)
Now, I’m completely relaxed, grateful, fixed my mind on things above and emotionally at rest. 


Psalm 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. 



Connected: Emotional rest comes more easily when I have support of family and friends. I choose to let them know where I’m at and am completely transparent about it. They’ll pray with me or for me and I know I’m not alone. But, they won’t know if I don’t share. 


Ecclesiastes 4:9 It's better to have a partner than go it alone. 
   Share the work, share the wealth.
   And if one falls down, the other helps,
   But if there's no one to help, tough
You as a community bring emotional rest to me in asking for my prayer requests here or at your sites and posting uplifting comments here.
Release: Most importantly is letting go of the negativity. Letting go frees me to live a life of appreciation and joy. Release increases spiritual, physical, emotional health and well-being.


Psalm 39:2 So I remained utterly silent, 
  not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased; 



Simple Tips: 
-Smiling on purpose really does make me relax! 
-Taking time to tell my friends and family I appreciate and love them. This really gives me emotional rest.
-Receiving love, encouragement, and help refreshes me.
-Hugs!!!
-Journaling and writing about it. 
-Nix the caffeine when over emotional and opt for herbal aromatic teas that relax me.
-Careful of the Emotional Eating. Although, 75% chocolate does have magensium :D It's a natural relaxant. Okay, 2 pieces eaten slowly...hee hee.
-Play, have fun & laugh until it hurts :D
How about you? 
Any tips or lifestyle habits to share that bring emotional rest?
 I’d love to read about it.



The whole FaithJam community is sharing on this today. Over here



FaithBarista_Rest2JamBadge

Thank You so much Bonnie!

15 comments:

Lisa notes... said...

I love your mind-body checklist. This is good stuff, Jeri. Thanks.

Sierra said...

Jeri, I LOVE your posts! You are such a terrific writer! When you get better, maybe you should think about writing a book! It would be so helpful to so many people! As far as what I do (besides the tips you mentioned), I make sure that I have some "me" time. Sometimes I am so stressed that all I can do is lie on my bed and stare at my ceiling. Recently, though, I've taken up embroidery. It helps calm me down a lot! I've also been working on some personal goals like exercising and I feel that the lift I get from that really helps me emotionally!

Courtney said...

Ah, this is all so good. I love the mind-body check. I will do that more often now. Also, great point about telling others how you feel. They won't know if you don't share - so true! Thank you.

Unknown said...

@Peas&Love - hobbies and interests really do help, right?! It's so relaxing :D Also, thanks for your encouraging words to dream bigger!

@Lisa & @Courtney - I'm so glad you like the mind-body check. It's actually from different things I've read and been taught. Can't take all the credit...hee hee.

Cheryl Allen Salinas said...

Thanks Jeri -- It's so good to hear what works for you. I'm going to try some of those!

Unknown said...

Love this Jeri - it was so refreshing to read! Thank you for this today! :) xoxo

Katie said...

I love your mind-body check list! I also love all the other ways you list at the end to rest! Thank you for a beautiful post!

Janis Van Keuren said...

It's so good to see that someone else takes break inbetween tasks. That helps me to keep going as well.
I'll have to try your checklist though. Haven't done that before.

Friendship is one of the main ways I find emotional rest, too. My blog post is about that! Hope you'll check it out.

Came here from Faith Barista.

Blessings,
Janis

penguinsandladybugs said...

Really good stuff!!! I love your posts!!!

Sheryl said...

These are great tips, Jeri! I love your mind body checklist. I haven't ever done it on a regular basis, but I know when I find my shoulders inching towards my ears, it's a good indication that I need to check some of the things you mentioned here. And talking with a trusted friend? It's priceless!

Unknown said...

Ladies you have eased my soul. I just realized reading uplifting comments brings me emotional rest too! Have a wonderful week blessed with friends, your fulfilling activities, and many moments of emotional rest.

Carissa said...

I agree with you on the nixing the caffeine and going with tea! Great verses to remember :) God bless

Unknown said...

Thanks Carissa. God Bless you too.

Amy Nabors said...

Love these tips. I often find myself clenching my jaws. What great thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

HI Amy! Just caught myself clenching and shrugging today. God is good to slow us down. So glad to see you here again :D