Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Recharge

Recently, I posted a question on Skinny Scoop to ask you how you recharge your batteries. Here’s the link to the survey, and here is the link to the post that inspired the question.

The number one way people recharge their batteries are by exercising and yoga. And not one person answered date night. Be sure to click here to get all of the results.

So here’s what I have to say about all that.

Ideally, I do try to exercise and practice yoga to stay fit and sane. But as the pace of Birthday Season picked up, that afternoon cup of coffee sounded sooooo good.

So then I would get all revved up and my mind was going a gazillion miles an hour. And you know what sounded good at the end of the day? A nice glass of wine.

Initially, it felt good. But before I knew it, that afternoon cup was a necessity, and I was really looking forward to that glass of wine. As more time went by, the more coffee/wine pattern was replacing the yoga and meditation practices. I started to feel unrested even though I was getting seven hours of sleep. I also just felt generally unwell. My eyes were always itchy and tired. My stomach felt tense and icky.

To me, it can be harder to take that moment to rest or meditate because I feel that I am hardwired to GO-GO-GO! It’s kind of like a pendulum: once I get on that fast-paced kick, it is hard to swing back the other way and relax.

It takes discipline to do what is truly recharging and not just a quick fix. It also takes discipline to figure out what truly recharges your own batteries. I remember when Marie was just a baby. Once she was down for a nap and I had the housework under control, I would just sit and watch TV. I *thought* I was recharging my batteries, but in reality, I wasn’t really resting. I was just tuning out.

And sometimes tuning out is OK, too. Balance is the key. Sometimes a glass of wine and some quality time with those crazy bitches from Real Housewives of New York (or Orange County) (or New Jersey) is just what I need. But more times than not, to truly recharge, I know I need to meditate and do some yoga.

So if I am going to survive another birthday season/holiday season, I am going to have to do a better job of making my wellness a priority.

Boundaries can be such a bitch to maintain and doing the right thing to make sure I am rested and well can take more energy than I have at that moment.

But it is worth it.

Namaste.

5 comments:

RealMommyChron said...

I hate when I hear something and know someone is right...when I don't WANT you to be right.

I have been in a serious coffee/wine (and let's be honest, cocktail) rut. It is just the easiest way to, well, survive. But in my gut I know it's not the BEST way.

I really can't stand yoga, but your post is making me realize I need to fine something healthy to help me recharge and regain balance and happiness...not just a Skinnygirl margarita at night. (Especially now that the bottle went from $13.99 to $20.99 practically overnight!)

Thanks, Erin. For being such a supporter on my blog and in this case, for being the mirror I needed to hold up to my bloated, tired face. :/

RealMommyChron said...

Ugh! 'Find,' not 'fine.'

Erin Janda Rawlings said...

Rea Mommy Chron, I wish I was wrong, too. Remember on Facebook and we were talking about attachng signs to us that said we need to be revived with equal parts of coffee and wine? I totally thought of this when I wrote this.

I may not make the right choices everyday, but I do the best that I can. Hang in there!

And it's always a pleasure reading your blog. I love it! I can't wait to see you at BlogHer!!

Sandra said...

As a yoga enthusiast myself, I so hear you on this! Sometimes I'm there, and I'm so stressed out because I'm trying to be "still." Then when I don't go for awhile, I'm so stressed out because I'm not being still. You hit it on the head brilliant lady!!! Balance! And after reading this, you have convinced me that tomorrow I will not put off my yoga practice! Thank you! That's the kick in the down-dog that I needed. Namaste!

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