Why is it when we think about taking breaks, rest, or relaxation, some of us feel guilty? Or some don’t find it necessary. Taking time for relaxation on the homestead is so incredibly important!
In order to be productive, we must take time to recharge and recoup. Some of us even need more than others.
During a recent photo challenge that I put together on our Instagram page, one of the word prompts that I selected was “relax”.
I was saddened to see many comments from some who were participating stating things like, “relaxation, what’s that?” or “who has time to relax?”
Maybe some were being sarcastic. Maybe not.
I still felt pretty sad. Partially because these thoughts often creep through my own head.
We are homesteaders and many of us are moms, too. We are busy.
I totally get that theres little time to rest or recharge. But its incredibly important to do so.
If not for our sanity, but also our health and well-being.
Maybe some of you are grumbling while you read this, but please bear with me.
Don’t get me wrong here, hard work is incredibly important to me too. Being a task oriented and accomplishing goals kind of gal…those are some things that motivate me.
But I have also learned, the hard way, I might add, that taking time to recharge is equally important.
Numerous studies are proving the taking regular breaks are important for productivity and stress reduction.
Contrary to what we have heard for many years, multi-tasking is also proven to be ineffective and only a small few can actually accomplish this successfully.
It’s incredibly hard to think about rest or relaxation when there’s laundry to be done, meals to prep, bread to bake, animals to feed and/or milk, planting, weeding or harvesting to be done, just to name a few small to-dos.
But rest and relaxation are important for our health.
Why is it that Sundays are known as a day of rest? it’s because God wants us to take the time to recharge after working hard the previous six days of the week.
Take at least a half and hour for yourself every day. Thats right, EVERY DAY!
It is hard to remember to do this regularly until it becomes a habit. Personally, I like to follow a daily schedule.
Within my schedule, I have rest periods notated because sometimes I have to remind myself to sit down and relax.
Even if it’s just for an afternoon latte or cup of tea!
I tend to get focused on the million projects that need to be accomplished.
In the past, I have skipped breaks and you know what happens? I get overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted.
And then I get cranky and grumpy and sometimes my health suffers.
That’s just not fair to my family or myself.
So, I make it a point to take this time for me. When I dod so, things to go a lot more smoothly around here.
Ever hear that saying, “if mama ain’t happy, no one is happy”? Haha yes, so true!
Here’s a few ways that you can add some relaxation to your routines on the homestead.
And you know what, they can all be done in small time frames. Once you recharge, you can get back to working on those homestead projects!
#1 take a coffee or tea break with your bible, spiritual reading, or meditation book for 15-20 minutes in the morning.
#2 Go for a walk outside. Smell the roses.
#3 Play with your children and/or animals. I’ve found my goats and chickens to be very therapeutic and nothing compares to seeing joy on your children’s faces.
#4 Take a bubble bath.
#5 Sip on some tea while listening to Chopin or other Classical music.
#6 Read a book.
#7 Do some stretches or other form of exercise.
#8 Diffuse essential oils.
#9 Play happy music and have a dance party in your living room.
#10 Take up a hobby.
Self care looks different to everyone. These are just a few ideas to help you get started.
Most importantly, try not to become overwhelmed, stressed, or burned out. Remember that we can’t do it all and it’s ok to take breaks when needed!
We are all human and not perfect. We just need to remember that our health and well-being are incredibly important. Because if we get sick, who will take care of our families or animals?
Related: Creating a Mother’s Morning Routine
CeAnne at St. Fiacres Farm says
Your blog post reminded me of Fr. Hunnolts sermon, I thought you might enjoy listening to it
A good and wonderful point about Sunday as the day of rest. We just read about that in the Children’s Sermon book we have this last Sunday. God gave us a day because He knew we wouldn’t take one unless forced too!
Have you read or listened to Perfection of Christian Motherhood? I think you would really like it, a plan by a priest on how Christian mother’s should organize there day and time. Thanks for the motivation to get organized. Working on it a bit there at a time. It was easier when there were only two children, trying to get back to those days of organization!
Mary Beth says
Thank you so much, CeAnne. I will look into that book. 🙂 my spiritual director has told me how important order is in our daily life. So, I’m trying to structure my day accordingly.