Rest is productive.
For me, time management isn't about being busy all the time.
If you're new to me, you might not know that I've got a chronic condition, Crohn's Disease. For the most part, I'm not hugely impacted by it (I suppose I've just gotten used to it, having been diagnosed 20 years ago. I wrote about my diagnosis on another blog here)… but sometimes it can take its toll on my energy.
Rest is productive, for me and you.
I intentionally carve out time for me (it gets scheduled in my Google calendar), and I also make sure that I get enough good quality sleep.
Consumerism
I've had a shift with my thoughts around consumerism and material possessions; a combination of Covid-19 and personal development has really opened my eyes to the world that we live in. I'm mindful now when I make a purchase, and typically what I do is I will write the item that I think I need onto a shopping list and if I still feel like it's needed a few weeks or a month down the line, then I will make a purchase.
Rather than buying ‘stuff’, I have been investing in experiences.
Lately, my favourite experiences have been holistic treatments where I can rest and relax.
Holistic treatments in Glasgow
Some of my favourites have included:
The Reiki Love Club for a private sound bath
I had a beautiful experience with Michelle at The Reiki Love Club for a private sound bath. The space is just beautiful, and I felt very special throughout. From the angel card pull at the start, to the sound bath and reiki, to the herbal tea at the end… it was just a lovely experience. I felt so light and happy afterwards. Michelle offers group sound baths as well as the individual sessions at her location in Clydebank. My private sound bath was £50 at the time of booking (April 2022). I’d highly recommend it.
White Rabbit Healing
I had booked in for 2 hours of healing with Suzy at White Rabbit Healing and gosh, it was wonderful. In the session I had a guided meditation, reiki, massage, cupping, sound healing, smoke cleanse and ear seeds. White Rabbit Healing is located in the Central Chambers on Hope Street - right opposite Central Station in Glasgow; super easy to get to. It was my first-time trying cupping, and it was a little sore when the cups were first applied but I quickly relaxed into it. The whole immersive experience was amazing, and I’ll definitely be back! The 2 hour healing session was £111 (September 2022).
Back, neck & shoulder massage at Beauty with a Conscious
The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice have a beauty salon, Beauty with a Conscious, located in Battlefield, Glasgow and all profits go to the hospice. I had their Halloween special offer of three express treatments (1.5 h) including a facial, back, neck & shoulder massage as well as a head massage. It was £44 for all three (October 2022). More on the hospice here.
The Sonic Den sound bath
I’ve attended two of Tommy’s group sound baths; tickets were £15 each (November 2022). At the most recent sound bath I took along my 11 year old daughter, which changed the experience somewhat as I was distracted a little as I was wondering if she was ok throughout (she was!). Sound baths are a beautiful experience. Tommy has a variety of musical instruments that he used; I think my favourite was the rainstick.
Simplicity
I’m acutely aware that I’m fortunate to be able to afford these treatments.
However, intentional rest can be simple. Yesterday I retreated to my bed to read for 15 minutes with a cup of tea in between work activities and came back to my laptop feeling refreshed.
I also find that a mindfulness meditation is also very soothing and is a great way to rest. I’ve included a candle gazing meditation on my blog here as a good starting point for mindfulness meditations.
My friend and fellow coach, Beth Wright, and I are hosting an alternative advent calendar this year, A Moment of Calm This Christmas. We’ll be sharing thoughts and activities on mindfulness, simplicity and slow living in our pop-up Facebook group. Join us here for free.
My question to you is, are you getting enough rest?
