Last year we took the summer off and drove to the west coast. We purchased a 2017 Rav4 for the trip, as we felt our little 2005 Corolla might not be up for the task. We got the simplest model, without all the bells and whistles, but it still had some neat new features we hadn’t experienced. One that made me laugh was a little notification that the car would flash on the console when we drove a long distance. After a certain length of driving, it would get concerned and ask us “Would you like to take rest?” It showed an emoji of a steaming cup of coffee, perhaps as a suggestion of what to do on this rest. It was very economical in its wording, it always bothered me that it didn’t ask if I wanted to take A rest… but it showed that it cared. Usually, with 2 adults and a dog traveling together, someone needed to empty their bladder or stretch their legs, so we stopped pretty regularly on our drive across the country. One time, I guess we ignored the pleasant suggestion for too long, and a new message came up “Please take rest.” The steaming coffee emoji was now orange, to emphasize the urgency!
I appreciate that, Rav4. You are looking out for me. Many times we need outsiders to provide input and remind us to take a break. I can get busy gardening and get “caught up” in productivity, and need my wife to yell at me to stop and have some lunch. It is important that we learn to listen to our own body and respond to its needs. One of my favourite titles in my office lending library is a Gabor Mate book “When the body says no: the cost of hidden stress” The title says it all- so many times our body goes on strike to get us to listen to it. I regularly see patients with an acute condition the “didn’t see coming”. On reflection, they realize that they had ignored warning signs and pushed themselves to the point when they experienced dis-ease.
When we allow it to, our body will tell us when we need to take a break, stretch, drink water, or leave a toxic situation. We just need to develop our listening skills. Regular Network care helps your body to release hidden patterns of stress. Yoga, exercise, meditation, there are many ways you can develop your ear to “hear” your body. An effective breathing exercise for this is called Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI). If you click on the image below, it will take you to a Youtube video teaching SRI stage 1. Other videos are available on our website, www.WellnessFamilyCare.com .
As we move into summer, I hope you will have many opportunities to “take rest”. Plan it in your schedule, and listen to your body’s cues to make it happen, even if it’s not in the plan!
