What did I do this weekend? I took some time for me. Life’s busy with my business, an impending house move, getting ready for Christmas and everything inbetween!

I gave myself permission to slow down. I did the things I love to do – I spent time with my horse and my cats, watched a Hitchcock film with a glass of AF red wine and a log fire burning. I cooked good wholesome food, had lazy mornings, read books and focused on doing the things I enjoy, and I feel better for it coming into this week. 

I first read Alex Pang’s book, “Rest – Why You Get More Done When You Work Less” a couple of years ago, and 6 months ago I read it again. I’m now starting it again as I’ve needed a reminder! It made me realise just how important rest is to us and how it can help us to be more creative, to problem solve and to give our brain the space it needs to process everything we throw at it on a daily basis. 

Deliberate rest is “intentional, active rest that supports and enhances your cognitive performance”. When we do something we love doing, and totally different to our work, we give ourselves the time and space for our brain to process and allow our problem solving networks to reset and integrate ideas. This is why we can be sitting at our desk trying to solve a problem or remember something important, and struggle, and it’s why when we step away to do something different, we figure it out, we have a new idea, we remember that thing!

Have you ever solved a problem out on a walk? Thought of a new creative idea somewhere completely random, doing something other than work?

With deliberate rest:

• You switch off from focused work
• You choose an activity that feels restorative
• Your brain continues working in the background, making new connections and replenishing mental energy

For me, deliberate rest is horse riding, and any time spent with my horse. It’s reading, cooking and baking, watching a great film and being out in nature. I love doing all of these things and time disappears when I’m doing any of them. The trick to deliberate rest is finding an activity you absolutely love doing so it’s never a chore and you can lose yourself in it.

And the result? I’ve had loads of ideas for the business, clarity as to what my next best step is and renewed energy to focus.

At this point, you’re probably thinking – I don’t have time for that, especially at this time of year. Even if you weave just 10 minutes into your day doing something different, it will make a difference. You could read a page of your favourite book, enjoy a coffee with no distractions, find a new recipe to try, try a new night class – the point is, to find something you like doing to help you switch off and reset.

If you knew you could achieve more by doing less, how would that feel? If you incorporated deliberate rest into your week, what could that look like for you? 

With love,
Nicky