Finding Rest in the Chaos
Finding time for rest can be so challenging in this busy season of life. But what does God say about rest & what are some ways we can mute the outside noise?
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
I love that verse so much because it literally shows that rest is a gift from God. How amazing is it that we have a savior that literally carries our burdens, and calls us to rest?
Personally for me, this is a verse that I have to continue going back to. I am in the busiest season of my life currently: planning a wedding, working, and doing school + managing time for friends and home groups. There is so much joy in each of these things, but sometimes it just gets overwhelming! Everyone manages stress differently & some have a higher capacity for it than others. It is okay to allow yourself to feel the stress, but don’t let it overcome you. And when the inevitable stress arises, remember that we have a God who calls us to rest.
So what are some things we can do to minimize the outside noise? Here are some ideas for you:
Create a schedule
This one has helped me so much. I used to live life with no structure which led to a lot of anxiety and poor time management. Using the calendar app, or buying a physical calendar and planning out each day/week is so beneficial for time management. When we have structure, we typically have more peace in our day to day. I recommend writing down three goals for the day, and setting aside a couple hours for rest.
I have created a couple templates on Notion for you to use- Click link below to download!
2. prioritize sleep
This is SO important! You may not realize it, but when our bodies don’t get an adequate amount of sleep, it affects us mentally and physically.
Approximately 50-70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders.
insomnia affects about 10-30% of adults.
Women are more likely to report poor sleep quality than men.
Getting 7-10 hours of sleep is recommended every night to maintain good physical and mental health, as well as trying to go to sleep and wake up at around the same time every day/night. Benefits of a good nights sleep include the following:
Cognitive Function:
Sleep helps consolidate memories and improve learning.
It promotes brain repair and detoxification, enhancing cognitive performance.
Physical Health:
Sleep regulates hormones that control metabolism, weight, and blood sugar levels.
It supports immune function and reduces inflammation, lowering the risk of infections and injuries.
It allows for tissue repair and growth, especially in children.
Mental Health:
Sleep helps regulate mood and reduce stress.
It improves emotional intelligence and decision-making abilities.
Sleep deprivation can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
3. Set healthy boundaries
As difficult as it may be, cutting out some things and re-prioritizing is necessary. Ask yourself: What are some things I need to make more time for, and what do I need to do less of? How can I set boundaries for myself to prioritize rest?
Learn to Say No: It's okay to decline commitments that don't align with your priorities or that leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Communicate Your Needs: Let others know when you need to rest or take a break.
Schedule Downtime: Just as you schedule work tasks, schedule time for rest and relaxation.
Time Audit: Analyze how you currently spend your time to identify areas where you can create more space for important activities.
Prioritize: Determine which tasks are essential and which can be delegated or eliminated.
Non-Negotiables: Identify activities or time blocks you absolutely need to protect.
When we set healthy boundaries to make time for self care, we show up for ourselves.
For more information on how to prioritize rest in a season of busyness, be sure to check out my podcast glowing + growing on spotify! I will have the link below.
Love,
Chloe
