Sometimes I carve out 15 minutes in the afternoon, lie on my yoga mat or couch with a weighted lavender eye pillow over my eyes and do nothing. Meditate, nap, or just simply lie there. And often I fall awake with a solution to a particular issue or writing project. It’s weird and it works.
Brilliant! My next stop is buying a lavender eye pillow. I love lavender. :) Thank you Amie. What a great daily practice this is and I appreciate you sharing.
Nothing like illness to teach us to slow down! I’m experimenting with 2 to 5 minute breaks between activities. It’s a hard habit to remember to do, but I’ve noticed a difference when I can consistently apply this even just a few times.
I have also been affected by the flu - now 2 weeks of unpleasantries. Like you, I must constantly remind myself to get enough rest during this temporary state, which is not simple. I don't have any secret ideas to incorporate rest into my day - I keep telling myself to enjoy the respite, to use my time to gather strength, and to use the time as a launching pad into something positive when the time is right...
Thank you Jack! Yes I'm back to myself but boy did it take longer than I wanted. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. This is so helpful. I like this "use my time to gather strength."
I'm so sorry you also had/have the flu. Are you feeling more like yourself? I do hope so. Sending healing vibes your way. I'm so happy to lace my sneakers once again.
Thanks...I'm getting there. It was a difficult month after a leg injury to begin February followed by this flu bug - lots of time to gather my strength...
Hope you are on the mend Jules. Running can improve our immune system or run it down depending on the “dose”. Run mindfully. More about the benefits of Yoga Nidra later. Much to get done this morning. Sorry.
Thank you Clark! Yes feeling more like myself. Thank goodness and it was wonderful to move in the sunshine today. Thank you for the information on the yoga...I received and look forward to learning.
Oh no, I'm so sorry you're not well, Julie! Sending love.
I am fortunate in that for the most part I get to set my own schedule, and several years ago I started to give myself permission to hit 'Pause' or even 'Stop' if I need to - although gosh, that's taken some doing sometimes. A book or a notebook, somewhere comfy to sit (or lie), a cup of tea - or just taking a hot water bottle to bed for an hour.
Thank you Rebecca, I'm on the mend now just need to get my energy levels back up. Thank you for sharing your tips. The "permission slip" is something I forget to give myself.
arhh rest - its an art and practice thats for sure! And something I'm big on (given i share it with others now, after burning myself out years ago). Restorative yoga, soothing breath practices, mindfulness, meditation and yoga nidra (you lay down in savasana pose with the intention to enter a state of deep relaxation, yet with awareness) are all excellent methods, as is taking things off your plate.
Finding ways to incorporate daily precious pauses is good too ie; legs up the wall or bed or lounge for a few minutes (after a run, before bed, etc), or taking a 20 min pause to lay/sit in the sunshine or your favourite spot is good too. Start small (like you would a run) and have no tech to distract you (a book is fine) because you ultimately want to activate the parasympathetic system (rest, digest, healing mode). Theres probably lots more I could suggest but i think this enough to start! Less is more (including the to-do list).
All the best with feeling better and learning the art of slowing down.
I can resonate to that "overdid" it feeling. I'm bummed for you that you weren't able to complete the long run like you planned but good for you for listening to your body. how do you feel today?
I hope you have a great week of training and get back to it. Keep moving forward.
Egads Julie! So very glad you’ve crossed the finish line on your race to recover. I’ve not “flu’n” in a very long while? Of course I’ll be getting “woodpecker instructions” any minute now. “Knock on wood!”
Here’s a personal experience from ≈ 40 years ago. The day before Thanksgiving I began having all the symptoms of flu. In addition I needed to produce all the components for an outside porch rail system, scheduled for installation on Friday. I called a doctor for whom I’d built a couple doc-in-a-boxes. “Doug, Doug! Do you know any magic cures for flu?” Yes, he replied. Stop by Doc-Box 1 and there will be a prescription at the check-in window. Fill immediately and take per my dosing schedule. Super off-label, Acyclovir is used for chickenpox, shingles, herpes simplex, but not for flu. I woke up the next morning feeling good as new! And completed the railing components package. So glad my friend took the course in magical off-label prescribing! These days “Common Boneset Tea” would be my go-to remedy. Part of Great Spirit’s pharmacopoeia.
With this busy month ahead for you I send well wishes for you and your entire family. I gather Jeff’s immune system knew just what to do. Kids being kids, constantly exposed to the Petri dish we call public schools, yours likely did just fine despite being motored to school and back by febrile Mom. Windows down in doing so?
Thank you for the smile today Gary! I was so happy Jeff was off last week and could step in! What timing indeed. I appreciate your story, that was a blessing you could call on that Doc to help. This tea you mention, is it something you find in the grocery stores? I'm curious.
Thanks again and happy to be back. Now I need to remember to slowly add up the activities and not just floor it after being laid up last week. LOL
Yes, Julie. After plundering the Internet I learned that “common boneset” is available as bare, dried leaves (which my family used), powdered (both in capsules and in bulk), and tinctures. “All ground up” is akin to hot dogs in my mind. Boneset can be purchased through WalMart. And certainly shipped from a variety of vendors. My plan is to vet several vendors then go forward. I think one review was provided by Mayo Clinic. No indications of drug interactions. A caution, as found on a number of sites, suggests taking very strong doses for more than six days should be avoided. I think that’s due to a chance of bladder irritation or even kidneys. Until modern medicine became available, a very concentrated, syrupy concentrate (think maple syrup) was used to treat Malaria with better results than other natural remedies. Today properties like boosting our immune systems, benefits for RA and osteoarthritis, as well as Tx for respiratory distress from severe colds, pneumonia, and flu, are recognized. My family gathered stalks of boneset plants, avoiding over harvesting, in bottom land between fields and pasture land. Full sunlight is ideal. We hung what we gathered from the attic rafters of our home. Once “brittle-dry” we stripped the leaves and pulverized them using an old coffee mill. Then bagged and placed in shortening cans. I have no idea where my mother learned of its medicinal properties. Glad she did. Revelations 22-2 contains the phrase: “The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations.” I received reminders of that principle growing up. Run well to stay well, Julie. ;-)
wow! This is so amazing. I'm so curious where your mom learned this as well. brilliant. Thank you Gary. I'm going to do some research. :) Happy running indeed.
Here’s a glimpse of the range of boneset use across the eastern US. I once worked with a woman whose grandmother was the medicine woman for her tribe. Sonia, co-worker, came to work one Monday coughing incessantly. I had yet to learn of her grandmother. I said, “Sonia, you need some boneset tea!” Looking both dumbfounded and startled she challenged me, “How do you know about boneset?” I replied that I grew up with the use of boneset for flu, severe coughs, etc. For Sonia, she operated with a complete disconnect between her tribe’s teachings and most of white men’s knowledge. I guess I saw boneset as common knowledge while she regarded it as propriety knowledge. One more thing white men could steal from the Indians, opening a small window for my mind/soul to feel how much had been stolen from First People. Worst of all their lands, where food cycles were understood, and many herbal remedies grew. The Bureau of Land Management has sold mineral rights, timber rights, and water rights from their very reservations! I can’t think of any sort of amend that could begin to right such wrongs. Perhaps to pray that going forward such wrongs will never be inflicted again. To ensure educational opportunities while showing respect for their centuries of knowledge gained from Great Spirit.
Yes, an area of my thinking & being that is important to me. Thanks for your patience and kindness to digest my encyclopedic replies.
Here’s an idea for an environmental slogan: “Want to learn better stewardship of your land? Ask an Indian.”
So important to make that time to recover...something mothers and working women seem to put last. We need to make our health a priority in order to take care of everything else.
Sometimes I carve out 15 minutes in the afternoon, lie on my yoga mat or couch with a weighted lavender eye pillow over my eyes and do nothing. Meditate, nap, or just simply lie there. And often I fall awake with a solution to a particular issue or writing project. It’s weird and it works.
Brilliant! My next stop is buying a lavender eye pillow. I love lavender. :) Thank you Amie. What a great daily practice this is and I appreciate you sharing.
I too have found weighted lavender eye pillows very beneficial. I try to maintain my focus on just the lavender smell.
Nothing like illness to teach us to slow down! I’m experimenting with 2 to 5 minute breaks between activities. It’s a hard habit to remember to do, but I’ve noticed a difference when I can consistently apply this even just a few times.
That's such a great idea! 💡
I like this idea Kym. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Learn Yoga Nidra
And if you do it daily
As good as deep sleep
Tell me more Clark....Yoga Nidra? Is this special poses or something? Can I do any kind of yoga?
Oh dear...I hope you recover soon.
I have also been affected by the flu - now 2 weeks of unpleasantries. Like you, I must constantly remind myself to get enough rest during this temporary state, which is not simple. I don't have any secret ideas to incorporate rest into my day - I keep telling myself to enjoy the respite, to use my time to gather strength, and to use the time as a launching pad into something positive when the time is right...
Thank you Jack! Yes I'm back to myself but boy did it take longer than I wanted. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts here. This is so helpful. I like this "use my time to gather strength."
I'm so sorry you also had/have the flu. Are you feeling more like yourself? I do hope so. Sending healing vibes your way. I'm so happy to lace my sneakers once again.
Thanks...I'm getting there. It was a difficult month after a leg injury to begin February followed by this flu bug - lots of time to gather my strength...
Oh goodness Jack, I'm sorry to hear about these setbacks but love your attitude....time to gather strength. You're inspriing. Thank you.
Hope you are on the mend Jules. Running can improve our immune system or run it down depending on the “dose”. Run mindfully. More about the benefits of Yoga Nidra later. Much to get done this morning. Sorry.
Thank you Clark! Yes feeling more like myself. Thank goodness and it was wonderful to move in the sunshine today. Thank you for the information on the yoga...I received and look forward to learning.
Oh no, I'm so sorry you're not well, Julie! Sending love.
I am fortunate in that for the most part I get to set my own schedule, and several years ago I started to give myself permission to hit 'Pause' or even 'Stop' if I need to - although gosh, that's taken some doing sometimes. A book or a notebook, somewhere comfy to sit (or lie), a cup of tea - or just taking a hot water bottle to bed for an hour.
Thank you Rebecca, I'm on the mend now just need to get my energy levels back up. Thank you for sharing your tips. The "permission slip" is something I forget to give myself.
arhh rest - its an art and practice thats for sure! And something I'm big on (given i share it with others now, after burning myself out years ago). Restorative yoga, soothing breath practices, mindfulness, meditation and yoga nidra (you lay down in savasana pose with the intention to enter a state of deep relaxation, yet with awareness) are all excellent methods, as is taking things off your plate.
Finding ways to incorporate daily precious pauses is good too ie; legs up the wall or bed or lounge for a few minutes (after a run, before bed, etc), or taking a 20 min pause to lay/sit in the sunshine or your favourite spot is good too. Start small (like you would a run) and have no tech to distract you (a book is fine) because you ultimately want to activate the parasympathetic system (rest, digest, healing mode). Theres probably lots more I could suggest but i think this enough to start! Less is more (including the to-do list).
All the best with feeling better and learning the art of slowing down.
xx
Georgia, Oh my! Thank you for this generous message and ideas. its' funny, some of these I use to do...how easy I forget! GRR.
Thank you very much and take good care,
Julie
My apologies for the delay reply, I only just saw my notifications now, which is probably because i've been away-- so haven't really been on email! 😜
Hope you're finding some easeful ways to slow down lovely. x
No worries at all! :) I'm finding ease and joy...grateful. xx
I hope that you are feeling a bit better now. :).
I am Olga, Thank you so much. I hope your week is off to a great start.
Oh no. Hope you’re on the mend.
I overdid my half marathon training last week. After intervals on Friday I hit the wall on Saturday. I was tired, grumpy and couldn’t face the day.
I ended up missing my long run day.
I listened to my body but I also feel like i let myself down!
Hi Martin,
I can resonate to that "overdid" it feeling. I'm bummed for you that you weren't able to complete the long run like you planned but good for you for listening to your body. how do you feel today?
I hope you have a great week of training and get back to it. Keep moving forward.
yes, rest and be still. i've gotten better at listening to that voice, though i still resist it. a lot.
the 'old guys' who mandated a true rest/stillness day (no cooking, cleaning, washing, fixing...) each week might have had a good idea.
Thank you Janis! I thought I was better at listening and then...
Maybe I will learn this time around.
Egads Julie! So very glad you’ve crossed the finish line on your race to recover. I’ve not “flu’n” in a very long while? Of course I’ll be getting “woodpecker instructions” any minute now. “Knock on wood!”
Here’s a personal experience from ≈ 40 years ago. The day before Thanksgiving I began having all the symptoms of flu. In addition I needed to produce all the components for an outside porch rail system, scheduled for installation on Friday. I called a doctor for whom I’d built a couple doc-in-a-boxes. “Doug, Doug! Do you know any magic cures for flu?” Yes, he replied. Stop by Doc-Box 1 and there will be a prescription at the check-in window. Fill immediately and take per my dosing schedule. Super off-label, Acyclovir is used for chickenpox, shingles, herpes simplex, but not for flu. I woke up the next morning feeling good as new! And completed the railing components package. So glad my friend took the course in magical off-label prescribing! These days “Common Boneset Tea” would be my go-to remedy. Part of Great Spirit’s pharmacopoeia.
With this busy month ahead for you I send well wishes for you and your entire family. I gather Jeff’s immune system knew just what to do. Kids being kids, constantly exposed to the Petri dish we call public schools, yours likely did just fine despite being motored to school and back by febrile Mom. Windows down in doing so?
All the very best today and always.
Thank you for the smile today Gary! I was so happy Jeff was off last week and could step in! What timing indeed. I appreciate your story, that was a blessing you could call on that Doc to help. This tea you mention, is it something you find in the grocery stores? I'm curious.
Thanks again and happy to be back. Now I need to remember to slowly add up the activities and not just floor it after being laid up last week. LOL
Yes, Julie. After plundering the Internet I learned that “common boneset” is available as bare, dried leaves (which my family used), powdered (both in capsules and in bulk), and tinctures. “All ground up” is akin to hot dogs in my mind. Boneset can be purchased through WalMart. And certainly shipped from a variety of vendors. My plan is to vet several vendors then go forward. I think one review was provided by Mayo Clinic. No indications of drug interactions. A caution, as found on a number of sites, suggests taking very strong doses for more than six days should be avoided. I think that’s due to a chance of bladder irritation or even kidneys. Until modern medicine became available, a very concentrated, syrupy concentrate (think maple syrup) was used to treat Malaria with better results than other natural remedies. Today properties like boosting our immune systems, benefits for RA and osteoarthritis, as well as Tx for respiratory distress from severe colds, pneumonia, and flu, are recognized. My family gathered stalks of boneset plants, avoiding over harvesting, in bottom land between fields and pasture land. Full sunlight is ideal. We hung what we gathered from the attic rafters of our home. Once “brittle-dry” we stripped the leaves and pulverized them using an old coffee mill. Then bagged and placed in shortening cans. I have no idea where my mother learned of its medicinal properties. Glad she did. Revelations 22-2 contains the phrase: “The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations.” I received reminders of that principle growing up. Run well to stay well, Julie. ;-)
wow! This is so amazing. I'm so curious where your mom learned this as well. brilliant. Thank you Gary. I'm going to do some research. :) Happy running indeed.
Here’s a glimpse of the range of boneset use across the eastern US. I once worked with a woman whose grandmother was the medicine woman for her tribe. Sonia, co-worker, came to work one Monday coughing incessantly. I had yet to learn of her grandmother. I said, “Sonia, you need some boneset tea!” Looking both dumbfounded and startled she challenged me, “How do you know about boneset?” I replied that I grew up with the use of boneset for flu, severe coughs, etc. For Sonia, she operated with a complete disconnect between her tribe’s teachings and most of white men’s knowledge. I guess I saw boneset as common knowledge while she regarded it as propriety knowledge. One more thing white men could steal from the Indians, opening a small window for my mind/soul to feel how much had been stolen from First People. Worst of all their lands, where food cycles were understood, and many herbal remedies grew. The Bureau of Land Management has sold mineral rights, timber rights, and water rights from their very reservations! I can’t think of any sort of amend that could begin to right such wrongs. Perhaps to pray that going forward such wrongs will never be inflicted again. To ensure educational opportunities while showing respect for their centuries of knowledge gained from Great Spirit.
Yes, an area of my thinking & being that is important to me. Thanks for your patience and kindness to digest my encyclopedic replies.
Here’s an idea for an environmental slogan: “Want to learn better stewardship of your land? Ask an Indian.”
I love your environmental slogan above. Thank you Gary.
I hope you’re recovering well Julie, flu is not fun!
Thank you Margaret. The flu is terrible! LOL I forgot just how "not fun" it was.
So important to make that time to recover...something mothers and working women seem to put last. We need to make our health a priority in order to take care of everything else.
You're so right Nancy. I'm re-evaluating things this week. :)
This is so relatable Julie! Even i find it difficult to rest when I am unwell.
The only voice that tell me to rest and not work is that if I lose my health, I am not going to get it back. Nothing is more important than my body.
So wise Khushi. Thank you.
Nudged to consider
Fractal nature of our whole
Pandemic paused all
🤔
Glad you are feeling better Julie!
THank you Gail! Me too. :)
I’ll send some information later in the day.