Refuel Your Day With Micro-Sabbaths
The above image, found on www.dreamstime.com , is attributed to Starush.
Refuel Your Day With Micro-Sabbaths
Rejuvenating yourself with a 10-day vacation in Hawaii is good; but refueling your day with micro-sabbaths is far better.
One of my coaching clients has been struggling with weight control. I’ll call her Nancy. Her life has been extremely busy with all the demands on her schedule coming from her children, her mother, and several important events. During the day she keeps going to try to check things off her to-do list. She never allows herself to take little breaks during the day to reward herself for what she has accomplished. At nightfall, Nancy sits down with a sigh of relief, then gets up to go to the cupboard to get bedtime snacks to reward herself for a day of busyness that has now calmed down to the stillness of the night. As I coached her, the light bulb went on – that she doesn’t have to wait till the end of the day to reward herself with a behavior that has undesirable consequences.
In the monastic tradition, the monks have Daily Offices, set times of prayer during the day. It is a time to relax, rejuvenate, and re-center. These are the daily micro-sabbaths that refuel their bodies and souls.
I would like to share a few ideas for refueling your day with micro-sabbaths:
1. Schedule at least two micro-sabbaths a day. These are micro-sabbaths in addition to your mealtimes. These micro-sabbaths don’t need to be long – about 15 minutes should be adequate.
2. Designate a location in your office or your house where you can enjoy these micro-sabbaths. This can be a special chair in your house or a spot outside your office.
3. Create a ritual that you follow each time. Incorporate some deep breathing exercises and prayers, especially prayers of gratitude to God.
4. Take stock of what you have accomplished already. Resist temptation to brow-beat yourself for what you haven’t yet accomplished. Instead, congratulate yourself for the progress you have made.
5. Write down thoughts that cause you anxiety and prevent you from relaxing. Carry a small notebook in your pocket. You can deal with these causes for anxiety later.
6. Include some refreshments that bring you calm and comfort. Try a cup of tea and a healthy snack.
7. End your micro-sabbath with a prayer for empowerment. I ask the Lord Jesus Christ to empower me to be effective for the remainder of the day – effective not just to get things done but also effective for Him.
How do you handle busynss during the day? How do you normally react to a high-demand schedule? How do you re-energize and refuel yourself during the day? What ideas can you share with us?
I help people figure out what to do with their lives, discover their purpose and calling, identify their strengths, and more effectively navigate life – something called Life Coaching. Please visit me at www.theresaipfroehlich.com
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