Let this be the year you reclaim rest.
Here are four simple ways to reclaim your rest:
1. Set a bedtime alarm.
It doesn’t mean you have to go right to sleep, but once that reminder goes off, turn off the TV and put away your phone for the evening. Research shows that looking at a screen before bed actually reduces your brain’s production of melatonin, the hormone that causes sleepiness.
2. Commit to two minutes of stillness each day.
Then three, then four. Rest is not just for the body; it’s for the soul too. Time with God can look different for each mama and season. Find what works best for you and stick to it.
3. Read.
Studies have shown that reading before bed not only lowers your heart rate but also causes your muscles to relax. You get extra points for reading from a printed book versus an e-reader! People reading from printed books report falling asleep faster, experiencing better sleep quality and feeling more alert in the mornings.
4. Focus on single-tasking.
Moms are the best multitaskers, but multitaskers are more likely to be more stressed than their single-tasking friends. Our brains are not designed to do more than one thing at a time.
