REST & RELAXATION

By Eliana Barriga
Publisher and Managing Editor for The Retail Observer

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Eliana Barriga

A friend of mine recently went to the doctors for pain above her knee. She was told that the first thing she needed to do was rest. According to the doctor, continuing to force movement would only make things worse and cause more injury to the area so rest was the most important component needed to recover.

How many times do I “push” through it even when I am mentally exhausted and physically fatigued? How many times have I felt like taking one day, one afternoon or even one hour off was a luxury I just couldn’t afford?

After only a few days of rest, my friend happily reported that the pain was almost gone and by the end of the week she was surprised to find that she had no pain at all. What would have happened if she pushed through it and continued to stay active? She probably could have increased the severity of her injury beyond anything a week of rest could heal.

Do you make time for rest, mental breaks, exercise, healthy meals, visits with friends or quality time with family? What kind of toll is pushing through day in and day out having on your body and your life? Many of us don’t realize the changes since they happen so gradually. You just wake up one day and remember how nice it was to go play a round of golf or how energizing your morning jogs used to feel. Then you try hard to remember the last time you did anything other than work.

What I found, is when I push through it, my work days seem longer and it’s harder to let go and unwind at the end of each day. But when my life is more balanced, it is easier to move through it. I am more productive and enjoy the time I am working and when the day is done, I am able to easily relax and get some much needed rest.

Take it easy, 
Eliana
letters@retailobserver.com

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