TIP 89
BANISH ADRENALINE BURNOUT
Sabbath. A weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh.
You will burn out if you aren’t taking at least one day a week completely off. Somewhere, somehow this got lost. We schedule our weekends away, but our bodies and minds need a day of rest. You need a day to do whatever you want with no plans, no list of things to do, no scheduled brunches, no lunches—a day to be totally free and spontaneous, to rest, to play, and to honor your spiritual self. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend the day alone (although that might be refreshing if you usually don’t), but rather that you leave the day open so if you wake up and feel like lounging in your bathrobe until noon, you are free to do so without upsetting any brunch plans. Those who observe the Sabbath hold it as a sacred time set aside from the business of the workweek, a time to focus on matters of the spirit. For different people, focusing on the matters of the spirit may take different forms. Some people do it in synagogues or churches. Others may feel closer to their higher selves or divinity by spending time in nature or meditating.
On the other hand, you may wake up and feel like calling your buddies to go to brunch or go fly-fishing. The point is not to schedule anything. This “free” day is meant to allow you to do whatever you feel like. This is what it is to be in the flow of life. Let your natural inclinations lead you, not your head. You may be thinking that you’ll never clean the house or do the laundry—not true. On some days, I feel a natural urge to get rid of clutter and toss out old clothes, and I start a veritable cleaning frenzy. Since these frenzies are few and far between, I like to take full advantage of them when the mood strikes. Whatever it takes, give yourself a day of rest at least one day of the week. You not only deserve it, but it is a must for you to be your best.
Mona, a 34-year-old writer, was vaguely discontented and couldn’t understand why. She had a wonderful man in her life, she had a good job, and she was starting an interesting sideline business that intrigued her, but she just wasn’t happy. After a little examination, it became clear that Mona didn’t have a pure day of rest. Her weekends got booked with social engagements, and it was the only time she had to really play and enjoy time with her husband. She wanted to socialize on weekends because she worked at home during the week and didn’t have many opportunities to see people. Taking a day of rest on the weekend didn’t appeal to her. I suggested that she take Fridays off for herself. This would be her day of rest. Mona didn’t think she could do it. I told her it wasn’t optional. If she wanted to be her best, she absolutely required some time for herself. This apparently did the trick. She started taking Friday afternoons off, and when she discovered how wonderful it was to have completely free time, she rearranged all her work so that she could take the whole day off. Taking one day off changed her entire outlook. Mona realized that she had to take care of herself before she would be able to enjoy her husband, her work, and her friends. Although she now holds this day as sacred, she said she never would have done it if I hadn’t said it wasn’t optional. Whatever you do, take a day of rest. It is the only way to be your best.
Another simple, inexpensive way to banish adrenaline burnout is to take a bath. Ours is a shower culture, so much so that you can easily go a year or two without taking a bath. You could even forget how wonderful a nice hot bath is. A bath has a number of advantages over a shower: It is more relaxing to give your body a real soak. A bath becomes a luxurious occasion if you add bubbles or use scented bath oils or soaps. You can read a book or a magazine. You can drink a glass of champagne or fruit juice, or just lie back with one of those little blow-up pillows and meditate with lit candles and incense. Turn on your favorite music. Throw in a few handfuls of Epsom salts for a spa bath retreat. A bath is a wonderful thing. If you find you are so busy that you don’t have time for yourself, use the bath as an excuse to get away. When you shut the door, shut the world out and enter your private sanctuary. You deserve it. And when you step out, you will feel completely relaxed.
At a spa in Colorado, I treated myself to a salt rubdown and a massage. While the therapist vigorously rubbed me down with a mixture of salt, cornmeal, and coconut oil, she explained that salt has the property of removing the negative energy of others.
When Eric, a client of mine, was frustrated with tenants who weren’t paying the rent, I suggested he delegate the unpleasant task to an attorney and give himself a salt rubdown or bath to remove their negative energy. He did both and felt much better immediately.
My father wrote most of his novel while sitting in the tub. It can be a great place to come up with ideas and creative thoughts. Following his example, I wrote a good part of this book while luxuriating in the bath. Ideas just popped into my head. When my mother lived in the Arizona desert she was always very conscious of saving water. She enjoys a long, hot shower, but felt guilty for using all that water. A bath enables her to sit back, relax, and enjoy guilt-free. This is one readily available, inexpensive way you can pamper yourself. Indulge and relax. What do you do to relax? Incorporate regular relaxation into your week, and you will be more productive, more effective, and happier.