3Tips for Rejuvenating Rest

Written By Emily Bottegal, MS
 
 

Phones doc on their chargers. Animals go into hibernation. Flowers and trees lie in wait to bloom in Spring. All around us, things are at rest, so why are we so reluctant to take a break? Summer often presents many opportunities to recharge, whether it be a break from school or a planned vacation.

Rest is vital and a non-negotiable for our overall health and well being.

Here are three tips to lean into your break and take advantage of some downtime. 

1. Plan ahead 

  1. One of the biggest keys to a calm and restful break is to plan ahead. When leaving work or school for a prolonged period, it is important to make sure everything is settled before your departure, and likewise, everything is prepped for your return. During the few days before your break, make a list of your to-do items, and prioritize them based on urgency or external deadlines. Think about what you can potentially delegate or postpone. Once you have planned out what you will take care of before your break, plan for your return. Make a list of items you need to complete as well as any follow up items. Having a plan for your return will reduce the anticipatory stress and allow you to smoothly adjust. 

    2. Unplug

    Even if we are not on a break, notifications can be one of our biggest stressors and distractions. If you’re worried about unanswered emails, set an automatic away message before your departure. If checking in with work is necessary during your break, set a time of day and length that you will check in on emails, and stick to the timer. If on vacation with family or friends, it’s a great idea to have some communal rules regarding communication. Designate some device free windows to stay engaged with each other and your surroundings. 

    3. Stay consistent 

    Habits take a long time to build, so even if you are on a break, try to keep up those habits. If you’ve recently established a bed time routine, try to keep one habit going - maybe it’s 10 minutes of practicing gratitude or reading before bed, try to keep up what you can so it’s a little easier to fall back into your routine. Staying engaged with your routine but at a diminished level keeps you on track toward your goals while allowing you time to refuel. Active rest can be a powerful tool to take care of yourself and your goals. 


Next time a pause presents itself - lean into your break! Recognize the opportunity to refuel, reprioritize and refocus and emerge a better version of yourself!

Emily Bottegal, MS

Ensuring students achieve academic, social/emotional, and personal success, Emily has a passion to empower students to succeed in and out of the classroom. Emily coaches from a strength-based approach and believes every individual has the ability to achieve success with the appropriate support and skills in place. She has dedicated her professional life to working with youth in school and community settings. 

Prior to joining the team, Emily worked as a School Site Coordinator and Home-Based Counselor in the Washington, DC area. In these roles, Emily engaged directly with students through individual counseling sessions and small group interventions focused on helping students meet personal goals relating to academics and managing emotions. Her direct experience helped her to understand the challenges individuals face both academically and personally, ultimately leading to her developing lessons around time management, scheduling, study skills, and organization. 

Most recently, Emily worked at a nonprofit, helping secure specialized instruction and support necessary to improve educational outcomes for low-income children with learning disabilities and developmental delays.

Emily has a Master’s degree in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

http://www.lifesolvedcoaching.com/who-we-are
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