Rest

This New Year’s Day, as you know, was both a holiday and a Sunday. Traditionally, holidays and Sundays were not only days off from work, but also generally days of rest.

It used to be (or so I’m told) that nothing was open on Sundays or holidays except churches and the odd donut shop. You couldn’t just step out and shop for new clothes or TVs or pick up a few necessities on Christmas. Lots of people got these days off, except for police officers and firefighters, doctors and nurses. These days, though, everything is open on weekends and holidays and it’s business as usual. More people have to work.

For some, working includes being tied to a computer or smartphone. You may technically have the day off of work, but you’re still mentally engaged in your job by checking your email when you’re not there.

Whether you’re addicted to technology, or you have a heightened sense of responsibility or you’re a workaholic, you need to rest. It helps recharge your brain cells and makes you more productive when you return to work. It helps keep you well, both physically and mentally. We all work hard. But shouldn’t we feel some responsibility to ourselves and take a day of rest every week?

This New Year’s Day, I spent the day unplugged. For me, this meant no checking my email, no checking my Twitter feed or Tweeting, no internet surfing, no blogging and no worrying that I should be doing any of that.

How did you start off your year? I hope you got some rest!