Putting Rest First

PUTTING REST FIRST

In a culture where our very attention has been commoditized, where we interact with miracles of technology every day and yet still always seem to have more and more to do, to plan, to build, to achieve, rest is almost an act of rebellion. Just what does it mean to rest? Is it just something we do when we can’t do any more? Is it something to be minimized and relegated to hours that aren’t suitable for anything else? Is it the passive absence of activity? A mindless distraction? I believe rest is intentional. It’s something we create space for—physical and mental. It’s something we can get better at and improve. The results might not be immediately evident but, with a little care and attention, giving ourselves proper rest can create a ripple effect of kindness and compassion that might just save us. Studies show that sleep deprivation reduces emotional empathy. When we sleep less (or more poorly) we are also less generous, more socially withdrawn and less able to process emotional information. In many ways, we are less human when we are less rested. “Compassion is the radicalism of our time.” – The Dalai Lama

Compassion requires a few ingredients. First one must recognize that there is suffering (sympathy). Second, one must be able to understand what that suffering feels like (empathy). Third, one must have the desire, resolve and the energy to mitigate that suffering. Compassion doesn’t just apply to others, I think it really starts with ourselves. How often do we ignore the signs of our anxiety, our exhaustion, or our grief? We’re taught that to slow down is to lose the race. And for some of us, the absence of a distraction—or a certain substance—feels like too much to bear.

But what if we dared to turn inward? What if we made the night just as important as the day? Embracing the quiet, the dark, and the slow; rather than overpowering it with sheer will and technology. Can we create space to just be? To truly rest and recover? Perhaps then the sun would shine a little brighter. Perhaps then we could bring that same compassion to others and our communities could flourish. As we move through fall and into winter, can we savour the darkness? Celebrate the rainy days? Take the opportunities to rest and connect—really connect—with those around us, with ourselves?

For most of our history the darkness brought us together. Only now, as we retire to our little boxes at the end of the day—often too exhausted to do anything but mindlessly surf the internet or binge Netflix—does it keep us apart.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can take steps to prioritize moments of deep connection and create sanctuaries to honour ourselves and those around us. We can carve out sacred spaces in our homes and our days to just be with ourselves and loved ones. We can celebrate idleness and comfort. We can give ourselves permission to relish in the abundance of beauty around us.

Together, we can ease ourselves into rest that is truly restorative and with it, perhaps, help create a more compassionate world.

November 18–19th 10am–4pm Resthouse Sleep Warehouse Sale: Save on everything you need to create your very own organic sleep sanctuary. Two days only, in Duncan. 3006 Boys Road. 250-597-7378

axel clarke | general manager | resthouse sleep resthousesleep. com