CONTENTS:
The Problem - A Big One
Beyond Just "Sleeping"
A Spiral Upward
We Evolved...
Other Forms Of "Rest"
Intervening As The Right Point Is "Efficient"
The Benefits Of Honoring Rest
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THE PROBLEM - A BIG ONE
At the top of the heap, abuse of this reality is one of the most damaging to your life. The body cannot function without the proper amount of rest.
We need to reverse the common practice of the developed countries of not getting enough rest.
BEYOND JUST "SLEEPING"
However, the rest cycle goes beyond "sleeping". It is the essence of what we need to do when we are stressed. Of course, we want to avoid being stressed in the first place and follow the Rx For Stress checklist.
A SPIRAL UPWARD!
Rest lowers stress, not just directly, but also indirectly, as it allows us to sluff of some of those extra effects of stress, which happens when the body is strong. And when you're stronger, your emotions and related malfunctions, such as negative thoughts will occur much less and/or at lesser levels. Stepping into this part of the overall spiral of negativity to go over and step into the positive spiral is what we want.
WE EVOLVED...
We evolved to surge then rest afterward and to sleep when the sun went down until it went back up. But nowadays, we surge, then surge, then surge - initiating but not resolving our fight/flight program creating the effects of stress that we do not want, especially as they accumulate.
OTHER FORMS OF "REST"
Although some people don't consider relaxing or breathing deep to be "rest", they are, in the sense of having the body let go of the tension and the really bad chemicals and toxins in the system - and in refreshing our systems so that they will work better.
INTERVENING AT THE RIGHT POINT IS "EFFICIENT"
Most people will say something like "well, I'll just catch up later." However, there is a multiplying effect for stress if we allow it to continue over time. As we get "tireder", our functions don't work as well, so that the same unit of stress input has a greater net stress effect on the body. In essence, we are exacerbating the problem and increasing the amount of recovery time needed per unit of stress input!
Plus, we are more likely to create stress for ourselves when we are not at our higher states of resourcefulness (discussed in the Power In Life section). The idea is to intervene earlier not only to be more efficient in recovery time per unit of stress input but to be less vulnerable and stronger. Those who want to be a master of their fate will do much better when they become masters of their state. (Notice that intervening earlier in a chain stops the bad effects that compound as one goes further down the chain, such as discussed in Managing The Thought Process.)
THE BENEFITS OF HONORING REST
Honoring rest is a bit like honoring gravity - it works for the best.
Some of the benefits:
More rest will make it easier to lose weight and to maintain a healthy weight.
You will feel psychologically much, much better.
Anxiety and edginess will drop, having a multiplying effect, because the
decline in anxiety and edginess will produce less triggering and less anxiety-
producing behavior
You will feel fresher and stronger
You will power will increase
You will be more productive
The ability to have a better relationship will increase dramatically.
You'll be more able to feel the positive emotions, and thus be happier.
