What does a number 1 hit at carnival time and travelling have to do with your ability to calm down? Well, you'll find out today.

This blog post deals thematically with the life element of rest & regeneration from my swing concept of the 8+1 life elements.

"Rest & regeneration" is one of the 8+1 life elements of my swing concept. Without rest & regeneration you burn out. Rest is the ability to regenerate body and soul. Rest & Regeneration helps you to create your favourite life. That's why we chose the park bench icon and the colour green.

Many people think of rest, relaxation and doing nothing when they hear the terms rest and regeneration. These are aspects of rest that are very important. But they don't encompass everything.

In fact, regeneration is similar to a rechargeable battery. If you switch off the associated device, no further energy is consumed. But no new energy is added either. Energy must be supplied from outside to provide new power. You can find ideas for this in this article.

In theory, we all know that it's good for us to calm down. Simply doing nothing would do us good. Or to find inner peace. Being able to rest means letting go and believing that not everything depends on me. Neither on my actions nor on my thoughts.

Humbta-Tätärä is NOT quiet

That was the case for me recently: I actually wanted to write this article in peace and quiet. Then I remembered that I hadn't started the washing machine yet (today is my washing day). So I got the washing together and took it to the washing machine.

There was a sticky substance on a piece of laundry that also stuck to the floor. So I got some orange cleaner to remove it. And while I had that in my hand, I went over a few other stains and discovered some damage to the paintwork. At least I postponed the repair to a later date.

Then I remembered that there were still a few things outside on deck that needed to go in the washing machine. And while I was outside, I also wanted to check the post. Then I realised that there was a vanity mirror in the hallway where it didn't belong. When I sat down at my desk, I realised that my computer glasses were dirty and the lid of my teacup had disappeared... Very quickly, the planned calm had turned into a big "household Humbta-Tätärä" of errands. Anything but quiet.

Does that sound familiar?

What is peace and quiet?

Rest can have different faces. The most efficient forms of regeneration include sleep and rest. But also:

- Do almost nothing: Just sit or lie there and do nothing but listen to your own breathing or look at something. Or do something calming and monotonous, such as knitting.

- Walk quietly: Go for a walk or do other physical activities in great peace - for example, hang out the washing very quietly or sweep the flat quietly to calm down.

- Reduce stressUse your body to find peace and quiet. A sprint, a few wall sits or push-ups to reduce stress. Or progressive muscle relaxation.

- Let go of stressen: Write down stressful things and/or calm down in prayer/meditation.

- Electronic devices off: At a certain time of day (90+ minutes before sleep is recommended), switch off all electronic devices and reduce light in the environment.

If the recovery phases are no longer sufficient, even normal everyday tasks become a stress factor. It is therefore important to take phases of regeneration seriously and to get to know yourself: What is good for me? Where and how can I recover and find peace? How do I relax?

If you also find it difficult to find peace sometimes, then let the following list of ideas inspire you to find more peace.

Four options for more peace and quiet in everyday life:

Daily: to slow down and recharge your batteries. It's best not to work flat out until bedtime, but to wind down a while beforehand - possibly with a ritual.

WeeklyThe rest day has its purpose. People who actually do nothing for a day that they perceive as effort or work end up being more successful than those who work through the day without a break, as shown by statistics on students.

Regular recovery times: The rhythm can vary from person to person. Some regenerate and maintain their strength best through many short holidays - others through longer breaks.

Special time-outs: Sabbaticals, longer periods of time out, often serve to deepen a topic that you want to focus on. Or for inner reorientation.

Many people are under the illusion that they can constantly "power up" with the same strength. However, the body needs periods of rest just as much as it needs to alternate between breathing in to recharge its batteries and breathing out to create space for new air.

How do you want to create these islands of calm? Here's some more inspiration:

Rest for the body

If you are constantly active from morning to night, you can't just flick a switch and suddenly find peace and quiet. Rest starts with organising your day.

You can at least alternate between intensive mental work and lighter activities, such as watering flowers or clearing things away. And drink some water or herbal tea - because a lot of restlessness also has to do with the fact that the brain is not able to work at full capacity if you are not hydrated enough - which of course causes stress.

Design changeover times

It is not good for the body and soul if they quickly switch from one to the other - for example, a stressful day at work and a stressful journey home and then no transition to family life. Transitions to rest can be consciously organised, e.g. through reflection, rituals such as tidying up the workplace and saying "goodbye" or music or ...

I dim the lights an hour or two before going to bed in the evening and try to avoid electronic devices, as light from screens, for example, prevents the hormone melatonin from being produced. Melatonin is needed for good, deep sleep. I also take a quiet walk around my home in the evening and clear away any things that are still lying around. This is my body's way of signalling to my soul: the day is done, you can rest now.

Odours

Our sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, which controls our emotions. Certain essential oils have a direct effect on our emotional system when inhaled directly or with a nebuliser. The smell of citrus fruits has a revitalising effect, that of lavender a calming one. The famous lavender sachet next to the pillow or a few drops of lavender oil, inhaled deeply before going to bed, help to calm the entire system.

Go into peace - GIVE thanks:

Walk an "extra mile for more rest": Walk one kilometre more than usual every day this week and observe how this affects your well-being and your stress level.

 

The concept of Swing-balance 

click on the graphic for an enlarged view

I make a Live webinar to the 8+1 elements of life, which costs you 0 euros:

  Mon, 6 June 2022 at 7 pm 

I'll explain what you need for a strong, crisis-proof life.

And I'll show you how you can easily incorporate these elements into your life step by step.

So that you are no longer ruled by insecurity, but can say with confidence: I can lead a secure life - even if the circumstances are shaky.

After the input, I will take the time to answer your questions - for a few hours if necessary.

Register now to be part of it.

Yes, I would like to be there

Can't be there live? Register anyway. You will then receive the recording link after the webinar, which you can download. until 8.6. can view.

 

The special feature of the Swing-Concept is that while it is important for a fulfilled life that all elements are present in life, it doesn't matter where and how you live them out. 

Whether vision and creativity unfold at work or in leisure time is not so important - the main thing is that they find space in life at all.

Online you can do a test herewhich element of life is currently being neglected.

Here you can read an entertaining summary about Swing read in the blog.