We set goals, we work at it, we sweat, count laps, count calories, we eat this-not that- eat more of this- set PR's, count more laps, set new PR's...all in the name of reaching the goals we set for ourselves. Sometimes we get so used to working towards something that we forget how to rest when needed.
I started a new workout program at the beginning of the summer, and as I was sweating to death in my living room, jumping around like a crazy person- dodging the dog and my 1 year old as he attempted to mimic me, I couldn't help but notice the "Rest When Needed" prompt that kept flashing at the bottom of the screen. In all of my endless wisdom, I decided to ignore it the first day. I paid for that ignorance for two days after that.
Workout?
Ha! I could barely walk!
I should have listened.
Whether it be a physical workout routine, a job, caring for your kids or other family members- you need to "rest when needed." Physically, depending on if you're recuperating particular muscle groups or your whole body, recovery can take anywhere from 24 to 48 to 72 hours. It depends on how your body works, what you do to speed up (or not do to slow down) your recovery, and how quickly you feel muscle soreness after a workout. It typically takes me about 24 hours before I feel the results of a hard workout, but everyone is different. I have posted some helpful articles about recovery at the bottom of this post, but the bottom line is everyone needs to REST. Even God.
Genesis 2:2 says, "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done."
The Message version puts it like this: "By the seventh day, God had finished his work.On the seventh day, he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done."
Rest When Needed.
Rest is Holy- it is ordained by God. So, go ahead- get crazy, push yourself, sweat like crazy- do what you're going to do with all your heart. Parent like you've never parented before! Attend those staff meetings like your life depended on it- pour yourself into whatever God-given task you have at hand- and then,
When your done, when your work is finished,
REST
Because God said so.
Some Interesting Articles on Rest and Recovery:
How To Speed up Your Recovery
A Muscle Recovery Test so you can customize your recovery
Ten Ways to Recover Quickly After Exercise
Recovering the Right Way
Signs that You Need to Take a Rest