Embrace Sabbath rest as a vital practice for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Rest honors God and restores our creativity, relationships, and overall health in a world that glorifies busyness.
When God made the world, he worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. This is what the Bible calls the Sabbath. It’s a day when people aren’t supposed to do any work. Yet, in our busy lives, we barely make time to rest daily, let alone on Sunday.
This is something I have struggled with off and on, especially if I’m working on two or three projects at once. For example, I’m preparing to release the third book in my clean romance series this summer. I’m polishing book four's last edits and revisions and preparing to write book five. To some, this may sound daunting, but this is what I thrive on. I love writing books and this series. However, it makes it much harder to slow down and rest. I want to keep going—every day of the week. So, if you struggle out there with working on Sundays, I’m right there with you and working hard to discipline myself to stop.
How do I do this? I remind myself that indulging in a movie or book or binge-watching whatever favorite show I’m into, old or new (currently watching 7th Heaven), is good for my creativity. It allows me to rest and indulge in someone else’s creativity. I’m not neglecting my creativity. I’m freeing my mind to be more creative in the future.
If you struggle with resting on the Sabbath, here are some reasons it’s essential to do so.
Understanding the Concept of Sabbath Rest
The narration of creation originated on the Sabbath, which is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Biblical history mentions it, specifically a day of rest and worship.
The Modern-Day Need for Rest
We are told over and over that we need rest and that we shouldn’t go non-stop. This affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But how do we do this? Here are some tips to help you create your Sabbath day of rest.
Attend Services—The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, so attending church services is a must.
Set Clear Boundaries- Let friends and family know you won’t be available for anything related to work on this day. This is a sure way for you to keep your day sacred without unwanted distractions.
Unplug From Technology, turn off notifications, and disconnect from social media and email. This will help you be more present and in the moment.
Plan nourishing activities- Decide what you will do that day to nourish your soul and relax. It could be reading a book, planting in the garden, or meeting friends for lunch. Do some yoga or prepare a home-cooked meal rather than rushing through it like you do during the week.
Be mindful- slow down, taste your coffee, journal, practice gratitude, or sit in silence and bask in resting and reflecting.
Connect with loved ones—Spend the day doing an activity with your loved ones, like playing in the yard, cooking or baking, or crafting. Sit together and have meaningful conversations—whatever makes you feel closest to your loved ones.
Don’t feel guilty. Rest is the best thing you can do for your well-being in a world that thrives on productivity. It also means you will return feeling refreshed and ready to take on the week on Monday.
Physical Benefits of Taking Time Off
There are many benefits to taking time off.
Reduced stress—As we all know, taking a break from work reduces stress. This is important because stress affects physical, emotional, and mental health.
With better sleep quality—When we commit to some vacation time, our stress goes down, and our amount of sleep goes up. Stress is a common factor in the quality of sleep. If you can’t sleep because you’re constantly stressed, everything suffers. Taking time off helps your stress levels and gives you more time to sleep. So take that two-hour nap.
Immune system boost and physiological health- Exhaustion inhibits the immune system, causing people to get ill more often. Taking time off benefits both your immune and physiological health.
Mental Clarity Through Rest—Excessive work and stress can cause brain fog, making it harder for people to do their jobs. Taking a break can help cognitive performance and ease emotional stress, allowing your brain to return to firing on all cylinders.
Increased Creativity and Productivity- Stress also affects creativity and productivity. When you’re feeling burnt out, trying to be productive is impossible. This is where a long-deserved break comes in. It gives you time to rest your brain so you can return to work feeling more creative than ever.
Improved Mood and Happiness- Working too hard can cause us to be crabby and in a bad mood most of the time. This is when a vacation or a staycation is in order. Go somewhere you’ve never been or plan a staycation doing things in your area you’ve never done before or that are full of activities that you love.
Emotional Well-Being and Sabbath Practices
The Sabbath is another way to nurture your emotional well-being. Ways to do this include:
Play- Escape into activities for its pure enjoyment.
Spend time alone- Take time alone for rest, reflection, and processing your emotions regarding your life at the moment.
Relax- Take a nap or read a book.
Meditate or pray- Take time to empty your mind of all thoughts or pray and spend time in the presence of the Lord.
Worship- Put some worship music on, sing, and dance.
Journal- Take some time for introspection.
Building Stronger Relationships Through Time Off
Take some time to build stronger relationships during your time off.
-Go out with friends for lunch or dinner.
-Help a family member with a project.
-Visit your parents.
-Take your younger sibling, niece, or nephew out for the day.
-Get together as a family and play games or watch a movie.
-Go to the movies as a family.
-Take the dog for an extra long walk.
-Spend some one-on-one time with your best friend.
-Have a night out with friends. (Go to a movie, out dancing, bowling, etc.)
Sabbath Rest as a Spiritual Practice
The Sabbath is a day to rest, relax, and spend time with God. Here are some ideas on how to do this.
-Spend quality, undistracted time with God.
-Write your prayers to God.
-Do a DIY Bible study on a book or topic you are interested in or read your favorite book of the Bible.
-Start a new devotion.
-Watch a Christian movie.
-Fast from something you love (dessert, a TV show, or social media).
-If Jesus returned today, what would you want him to find you doing?
-Practice being still with God.
These are all great ways to grow spiritually while spending time with God and appreciating the meaning of this day.
Overcoming Barriers to Taking Time Off
Overcoming barriers to taking time off can be tough. The enemy will easily tell you that you must work today, or you’ll never get that report/project/task done. This is when you need to remind yourself of the benefits of taking time off and how you are honoring Jesus in doing so.
The Long-Term Impact of Consistent Rest
Taking time off and getting the rest you need will benefit all aspects of your health, making you feel great in the long run.
Taking time off is hard, but doing so will enhance your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It will help you move closer to the person God created you to be and fulfill his plan for your life.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Cultura RM Exclusive/Bill Sykes
