Here's
your ticket. It is free. A free pass on a day. You are allowed.
It might be once a year; it might be once every couple of
months...depending on your circumstances. You know when you need a
pajama day. You might be physically ill, run down, under-slept (?),
constipated (I went there), under-joyed, overworked, exhausted
mentally, driven to distraction---you know when it happens. By
paying close attention to your body and sensing its signals, you can
help yourself stay well by giving yourself permission to TAKE A BREAK
AND REST!
By
listening to your body you can save yourself the added stress of
coming down with an illness. Often when we are irritable and
over-sensitive and wonder what is wrong with us, we end up coming
down with an illness soon after. We aren't that different than a
toddler. Remember the days when your toddlers were grumpy and
squirmy and there was nothing you could do to make them happy...and
suddenly they awoke in the middle of the night with flaming red
cheeks and a double ear infection? (Ben was two and I thought, “Oh
great, this is the terrible twos!” But it only lasted that one
day. Incidentally, that was the only day Ben was ever bad in his
life and he's 28 now!)
Heed
what your body says. It will tell you what's going on if you listen,
look closely and be aware.
Now,
I don't mean hyper examine yourself to the point of hypochondria.
I've stood in the mirror and examined the first two knuckles on my
right hand for a half an hour fully convinced they are swollen and
arthritic and I am doomed to be crippled forever! Then after awhile
realizing that whether it's a reality or not, there isn't much that
I'm going to be able to do about it so why bother to worry? So, I
went on with my day. (I think I was delusional.) But, if my back
starts twinging and I ignore that, or get that weird feeling in my
throat...I better take some time to rest.
And
it isn't just physical hints. Ours minds will give us very clear
signals when they are pooped out. If you find yourself complaining
about everything and everyone, you might need a little down time
away. If you can't move your neck from side to side because of pent
up stress, you should jump in your p.j.'s and cuddle up with a dog.
Each of us has signals. God forbid something be really wrong with you
and you missed the sign.
There
is a balance to be aware of here. Do not give in to every little
thing that ails you. As my daughter once told me, “Sometimes you
just have to put on a pot of coffee and push through the work.” We
often have to push through, but do so with care for yourself. If you
can't push through, you know you need a day. Cozy up in those
pajamas and snuggle down. You will reap the benefits of great health,
both mentally and physically. Trust me, the world will go on without you.
Take
Good Care Today.
Good reminders Jane!
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