✓ Overcome the flatline schedule. If you work in an office setting, try working 50-minute hours. Schedule 10 minutes between appointments during which you can summarize the prior meeting, plan follow-up, let your body relax, and clear your mind before the next commitment. This helps reduce the nagging feeling that you may be forgetting something of importance. Even if you don’t work in an office, find ways you can schedule short breaks into your day to clear your mind and release tension.
✓ Improve your concentration. Take an inspiration break—a relaxing moment to listen to music, view nature videos, enjoy a glass of water, have a conversation with God, stretch, or engage in breathing exercises.
✓ Get enough sleep. If you’re often tired but unable to get restorative sleep, try changing some of your pre-bedtime routines. Turn off the computer and TV at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Read a relaxing book after you get into bed. Spend time in Scripture reading, prayer, or meditation. Keep a worry list or box: write down all your worries, pray about them, and then put them away overnight. You’ll be amazed at how much less worrisome many of these concerns are after a good night’s sleep.
✓ Refuse to overcommit. You can’t say yes to everything, so align your involvements with your priorities. Block out time for yourself and your family, and make that time nonnegotiable.
✓ Tune in to your daily energy cycles. If you hit the wall, say, between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m., take a power nap or a walk to boost your alertness. Skip the caffeine and sugar fixes: they only take you up to let you down.
✓ Take a sabbatical. Plan a weekly Sabbath for you and your family. Set aside an entire day to worship, to renew and restore relationships, and to advance goodness in your world. It will make the other days of the week more productive. For helpful ideas and information, go to www.Healthy100.org/articles/rest.
