Hello everyone.
Here I am in the Changing Room, a tad later in the day but ready to chat as we go into this last week of December!
It has been a whizz of a year, exercise wise for so, so many of us. Loads and loads of amazing ideas on the S and F Forum, and so many wonderfully useful posts !
I know that for me, the forum has kept me moving, motivated and positive, through my year of running, and the same goes for a lot of other folk!
So... the cool drinks are here... the comfy chairs are waiting, and what are we going chat about... well... we have see so many posts about all sorts of supportive, high impacting and we hope, enjoyable exercise, so at this time of Winterval, I am going chat about something we all need, maybe a little more of, at this time...rest. Sit down... and chat.
At this very busy time... the one thing we need, and we often ignore, being kind to ourselves and taking precious time, to rest, recover and recharge.
Finding a moment of peace in a time that may seem pretty frenetic and even chaotic.
The best bit about taking this time out? Well mostly, you never need leave the house to find it
Okay;
Some thoughts...
*Time out is not going to sabotage your main exercise permanently. Taking a few days out is not going to set you back for ever.
* Time out, will, in actual fact, serve you well. The rest time and recovery time, will impact your return, in a good way.
In order to find the time out... don't try to do everything yourself over the festive period. Get the family to help out... or if it is just you... plan your job time, and your rest time... keep it simple. Maybe some ready made treats or some little treat to help you relax.
I employ my running mantra to many, many aspects of my life. Although our family Winterval time is very low key and very simple, I take all the prep' etc., slowly and steadily, and as a result, ( mostly), I stay relaxed.
* Really make the most of time with family and , or friends,,, or simply, your own personal time.
You may feel a tad guilty, sitting back, watching a film, reading a book, playing a game with the children, walking in the park or painting a picture... why?
Your rest time is yours, to use in whatever time you wish. You are not doing nothing... you are not wasting time... you are embracing it.
Make it comfy and cosy...
Find a space that makes you feel safe and relaxed... your space...
Do what makes YOU feel relaxed and not what you think or are led to believe, is relaxing.
If you want to sit by a window and just look out... do it.
If you want to do a wonderfully relaxing Yoga session, or Pilates... do it.
If you want to go for a walk... do it.
If you want to paint a picture... write a story... do it.
So... short and sweet;
* Plan your rest time.
* Maybe vary the rest time, in order to recharge.
* Enjoy your rest time.
Okay... I am not going to put loads of links to things could do to support your rest time. There is a wealth of things on the forum and online, if you wish to find them.
My thoughts are as above... find the thing that will give YOU, the precious time your body, your mind and your soul needs in order to rest.
I am hoping a few folk may find time to pop in, but if not, simply have a quick read and maybe, take time, to find the time to rest.
Have you any tips or ideas for rest and recovery... if you have, you may want to share them.
The Corner will be re-opening in January... and I will be here waiting for you, after what I hope is going to be a healthy, happy and restful Winterval.
Oldfloss x
