I used to do it. Work 7 days a week. Be busy from sunrise till collapse. Go to work even when I was sick and my body was desperate for rest, until I was too sick to function. I would get colds, flus and would lose my voice completely on a regular basis. I would just run my body to the ground because there was so much to do and I could not stop. Eventually, over decades, this high pressure, high stress life style led me to a total crush and a very debilitating and severe adrenal fatigue. I am writing more about my experience with adrenal fatigue and my journey to recovery in my upcoming book, blogs and programs. Stay tuned.
Is that you?
You get sick frequently…
You feel constantly stressed and anxious…
You are chronically tired…
Your immune system is weak and it takes you a long time to recover…
You are just feeling blah, nothing is really wrong with your health but you are not feeling zestful and vibrant…
We live in a culture that worships doing and does not value being. Taking time to recharge and replenish sounds indulgent or wasteful. We are so overloaded by things to do, tasks to accomplish, places to go and people to take care of.
But guess what? As I have learned, I will not be able to be of any good to others and to myself if I am running on empty and heading to collapseville.
Today I want to introduce you to one of my favorite practices, it has changed my health and the health of many of my clients: the “don’t get sick day”.
You know, when you are too sick to work you are forced to take a sick day. So, why wait to get sick? When you practice taking a “don’t get sick day” on a regular basis, you are giving your body exactly what it needs to fill its batteries, you are giving yourself exactly what you need to fill your well.
So many women do not allow themselves to take a rest, recharge and rejuvenate day, their only permitted form of rest is illness. Let’s change that. Let’s not wait for our small health issues to become bigger and bigger. Our bodies will get louder and louder with more severe symptoms if we constantly ignore them.
What to do on a “don’t get sick day”?
Anything that replenishes you physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.
Sleep in.
Take the time to prepare a gorgeous healthy meal.
Go out and spend time in nature.
Take a restorative yoga class.
Curl up in your favorite nook with a good book.
Get creative with art or craft.
Practice doing nothing, just allow your thoughts and feeling to float in and out.
One of my favorite thing to do as a child was to lie on the grass and look at the clouds. I could spend many happy hours doing that. When was the last time you allowed yourself to do something like that? What are you waiting for? If you feel like you are not allowed, I am giving you a permission slip:
You (insert your name) have permission to take a “don’t get sick day”!
Please let me know what will be your favorite way to spend your “don’t get sick day” in the comments.
P.S. A perfect way to restore and replenish your body is by doing a seasonal cleanse. Check out my “Cleanse for All Season”, a gentle and powerful way to keep your body, immune system and digestive system nourished and healed.
xoxo Rachel
This is so important! I remember taking a few of these starting in high school. I have called mine taking a mental health day. Thanks for the reminder Rachel. xx
Appreciating the expansiveness of this idea to give yourself REST and RECUPERATION instead of pushing the river until you collapsed!
I called them “jammie jam days” where you stayed in your pj’s all day and didn’t go to work. I did this when I felt a cold or the flu bug nipping at me. The result: I didn’t get sick and could work vs. being out for many more days feeling REALLY sick.
That used to be me in my flying days, pushing myself to keep going even though my body was screaming for a rest! Thank goodness that changed. I’m sure you inspire many women to take better care of themselves AND feel good about it without having to get so run down first in order to ‘deserve’ time out. Looking forward to your book!
I’m with Lore — I love jammie days! Lovingly tending a garden was always a relaxing way for me to nourish myself. Silent days where I didn’t communicate but only listened….
Great article and such an important message. Thank you, Rachel!
I’ve always referred to it as a “mental health day.” When my mind is in good shape, the rest of me follows.
I love this reminder Rachel! Its so easy for us to get caught up in the mundane of life…This makes me think of a time I was in school..carefree 🙂
My affirmation for this weekend -> You Zeenat have permission to take a “don’t get sick day”!
Thank you love!
xoxo, Z~
love this , i now see myself as doing the daily self love and self care that keeps me healthy. I clicked you cleanse link and it didn’t take me too a page xxoo
Your list of things to do are things I love to do when I get a chance. Going out in nature would be my favorite, but I have been practicing all of them. I used to push myself a lot and would get sick. I didn’t take care of myself in the way that I could have. I worked at it. I make healthy and happy choices for myself and am so much better for it.
I leila give myself the permission to take a don’t get sick day. Hmmm that feels good just saying it😊
I am going to get some manicure and pedicure and just sit around doing nothing.
Eat a gooood meal and not bother about anything.
I like the sound of that.
Thank you for sharing.
When I worked in the corporate world, I used to routinely take a “mental health day” and it saved my sanity. I don’t take as much regular replenishment time now. Thank you for the important reminder! There’s a lyric from Mary Chapin Carpenter that says, “Call in well sometimes and laugh when they believe it.”
Yes! Taking time to be “me” is how I’ve survived several toxic jobs and kept me centered for working with healthy-for-me employers. I love your list of things to do, Rachel. When I take the Don’t Get Sick days, I typically walk along the shores of Lake Michigan. There’s nothing better than getting sand between my toes.
Oh, this is a fun day – a day devoted to healthy choices. I’ll include a nap too! LOL!
My husband, youngest son, and I recently took a road trip. We explored all sorts of new places, and when we plopped in our comfy hotel rooms? Read to our hearts’ content. We explored some great bookstores and each brought home some special ones. Snuggling in to dive into a great book… going someplace new… trying something I’ve never done before… All things to do to stay healthy and balanced.
Still such an important topic. Your advice, Rachel, as always is spot on!
I listen to my body more and more and actually take ITS ADVICE to slow down, rest, nap, drink water…whatever.
My body temple is my oldest friend..why wouldn’t I honor her?