Today we tackle another important physical F.G. Foundation: the power of rest.
F.G. FOUNDATION III: THE POWER OF REST
Your body and mind being under intense demands, repair and recovery time is required.
Resting for as many hours as needed is not selfish. It is selfless. You must give your best self to the world; and in order for your self to operate at its best, it must rest.
Chronic sleep debt or working a night shift is actually carcinogenic; so if that is part of your lifestyle, do everything you can to shift that. Rest has the power to undo your life just as quickly as it can knit it back together.
Many people complain that their mind “won’t stop running” when they lie down. These people need to spend 15-20 minutes in quiet meditation or relaxation at the start and end of the day, as this will help unlock the true power of rest.
Sleep debt is cumulative. The weekend is for recalibration. If your family or job robs you of sleep through the week, you must take at least two nights on the weekends to “rebalance the books” on your sleep account.
In my experience, going to sleep earlier is more effective than sleeping late. People ask me how I can rise at 430am. The answer: I am asleep by 9pm most nights.
Your results may vary, but the laws that govern your physical and mental repair processes do not. If you also pursue a vigorous exercise schedule, as we advise you to do as part of the process of positive stress, then your rest & recovery needs increase commensurately.
FOUNDATION THREE SUMMARY
- Rest as much as required.
- At least once per 7-day period, rebalance the sleep books.
- Remember that allowing yourself quality rest is giving a gift to the world.
In the next article, we’ll tackle the importance of positive stress.