Is your load heavy today?
Hello Friends!
It seems like everyone is carrying a heavy load right now. Whether it’s an especially challenging time or just the general hustle of life—it’s a lot! Burn out and mental illness are on the rise, and honestly? We are tired! Do you feel this? You are not alone!
While our never-ending to-do lists and overflowing plates contribute to our feeling of overwhelm and exhaustion—the mental load can really be the breaking point. The invisible stress, the unspoken worries, and the constant mental checklists can slowly wear us down without us even recognizing it.
So what do we do about it?!
Rest can mean many different things, and to get the kind of rest we need it’s helpful to understand that rest is more than physically laying down. Sure, it can be that! But there are many other things that can bring our body, mind, and soul the restorative rest we require.
Maybe we need a nap, or maybe we need to move our bodies! Maybe we need a break from work. or maybe we need time to give our undivided attention to a task. Maybe we need relief from the demands of our children, or maybe we need some quality connecting time with them. understanding our needs and all the different ways to meet them can help us get the type of rest we need!
Above all though, this is what we must remember—
President Nelson recently invited us to rest in his most recent general conference address and share this scripture:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Christ is the path to peace, and the ultimate source of rest! There is no retreat, escape, self-help book, morning routine, or amount of sleep that gives us rest the way trusting Christ does.
So how do we take all of this and apply it to ourselves when things feel so heavy, and we feel so tired? Try this!
Things to try when you need a rest! Feel better in 5!
1 - Meet a basic need! Have a snack, a drink, or a nap! Everything feels harder when you’re tired and hungry.
2 - Seek Christ simply. A quick prayer, song, or even just a thought can shift the mental load. Relief and peace that come through Christ are not dependent on circumstances.
3 - Let yourself off the hook. Worth is not dependent on achievement—it is safe to rest. you are exactly where you need to be!
4 - Take a walk and a breath! Even a quick walk around the block can bring some relief and perspective to a heavy day.
5 - Phone a friend! Feeling disconnected fuels feelings of exhaustion, fear, and hopelessness. A fast chat with someone, even a stranger, can be a catalyst for restorative connection.
We can’t pour from an empty cup—and we can’t drink from one either! Resting is not elective it is essential! Let’s work together to cultivate cultures that prioritize and protect rest, understanding it’s importance in all we do.
WE CAN’T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP—WE CAN’T DRINK FROM ONE EITHER!