Tired bodies, frantic minds and jangled nerves– these are some of the telltale signs of trying to do too much too quickly without adequate rest.  Like nature herself, our bodies and minds thrive on balanced rhythms of rest and activity.

For a healthy, enjoyable holiday weekend, honor your body’s need for plenty of sleep and occasional periods of rest during the day.  In a gentle way, also encourage family members and friends to get adequate rest.  This is particularly important for very young children, who easily become irritable when they are tired.

Adults, too, tend to become edgy and short-tempered when they haven’t been getting enough sleep.  Fatigue weakens our immune systems, dampens our creativity and slows our reflexes.  American drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel account for nearly 50,000 collisions and 1,500 deaths annually and many of these occur during the holidays.

When we are weary, it’s so much harder to be sensitive to others and to listen really well.  When family members are tired tensions rise, children act out, discipline becomes more challenging and the healing power of laughter is heard less frequently.

According to Wayne Muller, author of Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest, “Our culture invariably supposes that action and accomplishment are better than rest, that doing something–anything–is better than doing nothing.  Because of our desire to meet ever-growing expectations, we do not rest.  Because we do not rest, we lose our way…we miss the quiet that would give us wisdom.”

Particularly during the holidays, many of us can benefit by keeping this simple principle in mind: take time to rest.

Arrange for some personal and family quiet time– the solitude of an early-morning cup of coffee, a tranquil walk out in nature, a time of listening to peaceful seasonal music, or a pre-sleep period for journaling, prayer or meditation.

Simply getting enough rest can drastically improve our individual and collective well-being.  Sleep doesn’t cost money, it’s not controversial and for most of us, it’s a pleasant, no-effort activity with lots of positive benefits.  Take periodic rest breaks or a nap during the day and turn off those lights a little earlier at night.

This week, take time to rest your body and recharge your spirit.  In her simple, wisdom-filled manner, the late Mother Theresa has given us words that seem particularly appropriate for the holidays: “It’s not how much we do, but how much love we put into the doing.  And it’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving.”

Best wishes for an enjoyable, restful and peace-filled holiday week!

Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.