The Art of Rest
Why is it so damn hard to rest?
To most, rest is no longer a natural part of our existence. Listening to our body’s need for rest is often seen as a weakness in the narratives of hyper-individualism and independence. “Just push through.” Not asking for help or even not accepting help when offered are all symptoms!
With the current & common way of life in the United States with nuclear family living, 40+ hour work weeks, and overflowing schedules…many feel there is simply no time to rest. But I suspect there is more than just that. It is that we were never taught how to rest and it must be a skill that is cultivated or valued before baby arrives that sets us up for the most uplifting postpartum experiences.
Rest in the first month after birth is a physiological necessity.
🌻RESTING in the postpartum has to be a conscious act.
🌻RESTING in the postpartum is a commitment to your own healing.
🌻RESTING in the postpartum is a way to honor your passage into motherhood.
Our bodies are 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙚𝙙 to slow down and heal in those early weeks after birth.
𝙃𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, rest requires support from people. Your partner, friends, family, and professionals all must be part of your support.
Resting after birth allows us to...
👏 Prevent strain on our muscles & ligaments
👏 Tend to our emotional health
👏 Bond with our baby
👏 Focus on nourishing our bodies
How ready are you to step away from work life? Or do you struggle to rest when you need to? Have you talked about who will take on all the tasks in your home so you can actually rest? What can you take off your plate in anticipation for baby's arrival? Make a list of everything you do for your family in a day. Make a list of everyone who has offered to help you or you think you can ask for help in some small way. Connect the dots!
Write down your answers to these questions like it is a long form essay question on a very important test! It truly does matter. The more aware you are of your own hesitations and expectations of motherhood, the more you can prepare.
If you struggle with answering any of the questions above, it might be time to do some mindset work to get clear on the narratives inside. It’s worth it, I promise!