Mama, You Need To Rest Or This Can Happen

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I woke up and laid in bed. I still felt so tired. My muscles were achy and my brain fog was still there. I had hoped that a good night's sleep would reset everything, but I felt so worn down. It was like my body was heavy with a wet jean jacket. And my mind was full of cotton balls. I sat on the edge of bed and huffed, "I gotta get up," I thought. And with a sigh, I lifted my achy body off the side of the bed to walk to the bathroom to see my dark circles still under my eyes and my expression saying, Go Back To Bed!

I had been feeling worn down for weeks, probably months. I kept blaming it on my changing hormones at 45 years old. And my hormones are changing, but that is not the total reason I was dragging.

I had exhausted my body's stress system. I could not refuel, for the life of me. Everything I was trying wasn't working. I felt depressed thinking this is how I would feel from now on. And then, I would get a little energy and feel pressure to get to the overdue items on my to-do list and try to snap myself out of this fog.

It was when I read an article that described the causes to feeling 'Tired and Wired' ~ that it hit me. That's it. I'm trying to press the gas pedal but feel like my wheels won't go. I'm so tired yet feel wired to do more, more, more.

I read about Adrenal Fatigue and wondered, do I have that? Here is the article by Women's Health Network for you to learn more about the symptoms and talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

I am not getting enough rest or the best kind of rest. Now, as a mom, you are probably reading that and thinking, yeah, I wish I could rest more! The most common Mother's Day gift request - a nap or a massage. Yep. We crave more rest. Yet, we do not give ourselves permission to slow down.

There's too much to do.

Who else would do it?

I'd get so far behind?

I MUST keep going.

I think we've been pushing up that hill for the past few years! MUST KEEP GOING. But keep falling flat on our face. So wiped out. So run down. Out of energy. Out of patience. Out of creativity. Out of joy. Just going from day to day.

My exhaustion may have started when the kids were babies but the pandemic took it to a whole new level. We cannot keep putting off rest. It will cost you your health.

Wow, read about all of the medical things that can go wrong if you do not get enough rest - article by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

How about you?

Are you tired? Are you feeling wired? Are you running on empty?

Besides the obvious advice: take care of yourself. I want to break down how to get rest in your body, mind and spirit. You can prevent medical crisis or begin to rebuild, if you are already in medical crisis. (And as always, consult with your physician for what is best for your health and treatment.)

PHYSICAL REST

You need sleep. You cannot give it up. You cannot skip sleep to look on your phone. Your body needs to heal at night and improve your immune system and regulate your hormones.

You can nap. Maybe it is only for 15 minutes. But close your eyes on the couch. Rest your achy body. Lay down.

You cannot run on caffeine anymore. It is messing up your body's system to know when it needs to make natural energy and when not to.

You need sunshine. The sunlight tells your brain when it is daylight and when to go to sleep. Open the shades in the house. Go for a walk. My YouTube video on Family Nature Walks.

Get moving. But gently. You have to listen to your body's fatigue level. If high exertion is not what you need. Stretch. Do yoga for 20 minutes. I love the YouTube videos Yoga with Adriene - here is one I did this week: Feel Your Best

MENTAL REST

Write down what you have to do. Do not try to memorize it. You are using up mental energy.

Write down your worries in a notebook (here's the one my daughter and I designed). They are playing over and over in your mind and not giving your mind rest.

If you are over-thinking something, tell someone. Hearing it aloud will help you to see how big or small it is.

Color in a coloring book (a great one on Amazon) instead of scrolling through your phone. Your phone is exhausting your brain.

Hang a Feelings Chart on your fridge. Move the magnet to what you are feeling today. Be aware of what you feel and know that your feelings change every 2-3 hours.

SPIRITUAL REST

Say a prayer. A memorized prayer or just talk from your heart. God is always listening. He loves you so much. In Him you will find true rest.

Let go and Let God. You are trying to solve it all. Your mind is exhausted. Allow the Lord to be your Helper. Pray to Him for what you need.

Listen to a Christian meditation. I love this one by Alabaster Co. And reset your level of hope in God.

Write down a Bible verse and put it on the fridge. Allow the wisdom of God to be your guide. You will find rest. Check out this book ~ 199 Bible Verses for Women

Lay down and listen to a Christian song. Either a classic or something new. Let the music calm you and refresh you. I really enjoy listening to Lauren Daigle

Today, take the first step to getting rest and refreshing your life!

When God placed the Tranquility Moms project on my heart, I had no idea that it would be needed by so many moms filled with anxiety and stress. Feeling overwhelmed and burned out, we need rest ~ in our body, mind and spirit. That tranquility and peace is what we need to feel more love and joy. It is possible. I am praying for you today.

So glad you are on this journey with me to go from stressed to refreshed! Find your tranquility today!

Be well and God bless,

Kathryn

I share ideas on my blog or YouTube videos that you can easily and quickly add in wellness travel to your upcoming family vacation. Be refreshed, be recharged, be renewed. You and your family will feel joy, peace and love fully.

Upcoming book in 2023 by Kathryn Gardner ~ Totally Refreshed: How Your Family Vacation Can Include Love, Faith and Wellness. Plus 100 Christian Family Vacation Activities

Kathryn Gardner is a mom of 2, police wife and Christian Catholic. She has practiced as a Family Therapist for over 20 years and became a Certified Health Coach in 2020. In 2022, her family moved from Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL to be near the ocean and explore the health benefits of nature. Her passion is helping stressed moms find tranquility! Check out TranquilityMoms.com for the latest blog post and YouTube video. She posts encouraging messages on Instagram and Facebook.