It’s National Stress Awareness Day and as I glance over my Instagram feed all I can see is a barrage motivational quotes from over-achievers running marathons and climbing mountains.
I just can’t seem to get away from memes telling me to ‘never give up’ or ‘you can do this’ or a personal favourite ‘you don’t get this ass by sitting on it’
There is a stream of pictures showing instagram-able food I should be eating which is low calorie, low fat, gluten free, dairy free, keto, vegan and vegetarian.
A reflection of the types of people I choose to follow, I know.
So how can the average person possibly replicate this seemingly wonderful lifestyle, while coping with the realities of life.
Most of us have jobs, possibly long commutes, some have children and lots of us are setting ourselves challenging fitness goals.
Coping with the school runs, heavy work-loads and trying to stay fit often ends in stress, burn-out and at worst serious mental health problems.
And those with children are often, but not exclusively, prime candidates for all of these conditions.
The solution is blindingly obvious; if you want to do all of this you must have consistent and regular periods of rest and relaxation.
But somehow we have been sent a message that we should feel guilty about resting or we struggle to find the time for it, or both.
It seems resting has been relegated to a ‘nice to do’ and not an essential part of our lives.
Surely this is wrong. ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ so the saying goes but so often we try to do this.
Unless we take care of ourselves we simply cannot keep our heads above water.
So here it is – I’m giving everyone permission to sit in their pyjamas this weekend, eating chocolate and watching TV.
Get the kids involved, they will love it and if you can’t do this weekend book a day in your diary and do it another time.
Your body and mind and probably your family will thank you for it.
More information on National Stress Awareness Day here
I have been poorly recently and my doctor advised rest but it’s easily said than done when running a busy household
I totally support this message! We are bombarded with motivational quotes all the time but no one says you’re fine as you are, just chill out for a minute!
I love this post. I know what you mean sometimes rest is all we need to get refreshed and back on track xx
I didn’t know there was such a day to be honest, but it’s something that effect me on a daily basis b
I didn’t know there was such a day to be honest, but it’s something that effect me on a daily basis.
Oh gosh, yes, I need to do this more. I’m always on the go and get to bed far too late too.
I’ve actually taken most of today off and just chilled out. I didn’t know what the day was though.
That’s a great post. There is nothing wrong with getting a rest. A lot of these celebs who give this great advice have army of people doing mundane everyday stuff for them. Normal people have lives to live.
Great post this! Without rest, we can’t get ourselves ready for the next challenge ahead!
Although obvious, getting lots of rest and relaxation is sometimes hard to come by for busy parents. I do wish this was something I could devote more time too. Ha, I may be following the same IG feeds x