I spent the greater part of today doing nothing and my body and mind are seriously thanking me.

Creating a healthy lifestyle, having sufficient energy, avoiding illness and feeling our best requires a mix of various ingredients and often a degree of experimentation to get it just right.  Healthy eating and exercise are part of that equation but not the entire solution.  For me, one of my favorite elixirs to support great health is all about doing absolutely nothing and that’s just what I did today.

I slept in until 10 — way late for me.  I sat in bed and read.  I talked at length with my husband.  I didn’t run around, I even skipped the gym.  For me, the above things amount to doing nothing because I was still and present..and I absolutely loved it.   I let the day unfold and totally enjoyed it.

Usually, I’m wired to go, go, go. I have to consciously stop myself and work on relaxing. And because I seem to be constantly in motion with all the things going on in my life, it’s rare that I’m just still, barely moving, simply being. This is exactly why I love a big snowstorm where I’m holed up inside and now tempted to go anywhere or do much. But who can wait for a snowstorm to do this, I need to be proactive in by doing nothing much more often!

Doing nothing boosts our immune system and helps prevent illness.  It gives our body a chance to rest and recharge. Getting quiet like I did today helps us tune into our body and notice when something may be a bit off. It also helps us use our intuition to support what’s best for us — getting clear about when to do more and when to do less, or what actions are most beneficial.

After a super busy week, today was just what I needed to recharge and support optimal health.

What’s your idea of doing nothing? How does it support your health and when was the last time you did absolutely nothing and totally enjoyed yourself?

Filed under: Body wisdom, Healthy lifestyle, Optimal Health, Slowing Down, Tuning in