I didn't really intend for this to become a series, but it seems to be a theme, and I think it's worth mentioning. I have got to take care of my mind - for my own health, for the health of my family, and to be a good steward of the mind that God has given me.
Just as I drank fluids to heal from the stomach flu or refrained from lifting anything too heavy after giving birth, my mind must be cared for to return to a state of health.
One major way I care for my mind is to avoid unhealthy stress. I do preventative work by not overcommitting and not becoming too busy. Or, more accurately, I should do that preventative work.
June was busy, and July is, too.
- Family (on both sides) visiting from out-of-state - lots of together time and activity
- Swim lessons for the boys
- Time with friends
- Surprise birthday party
- Wedding shower
- Baby shower
- Anniversary date
- School room cleaning and organization
- Concerts
- Homeschool meetings
- Teaching Sunday School to 3-year-olds
- MAYBE starting half-marathon training (hahahaha)
- Logging my food choices (deleting that app off my phone was not a good idea)
- Spending time at a summer festival
These are all good - even great - things. But I'm tired. My inclination is to withdraw, but not in a way that is unhealthy. No, I want to withdraw from being busy. I want to carve out two days in a row where we have nothing planned but spending time at home together with our little family. I want to reset our lives back to a healthy amount of activity. We are not there now, and it shows in our exhaustion and my increased stress level which can lead to a higher risk of relapse.
How have you found a good balance of activity and rest? What are some things that you do to keep that balance?
