One of the hardest things for me to do is take a rest day. I know it's important to do so and I know it's crucial for recovery and better performance overall in fitness. I have an "all or nothing" mentality. While I'm trying to work on this, it's still something that i'm afraid the if I stop I might not start again. That somehow I would abandon or ruin all the hard work i've already put in. So I will usually just keep pushing myself to work harder. Add that in with my current schedule of full time school and work. You can probably see where this is going. Many late night study sessions leading to a lack of sleep.
I'm a firm believer in the universe giving you signs. I feel like if you don't listen then the universe will make you listen. For me the last few weeks I've been burning the candle at both ends trying to do it all, sacrificing time for myself and things like sleep.
Cut to yesterday, Monday, morning. I woke up for my training run and noticed that my left eye was pink and looked a little bloodshot. I felt a little scratchy, but didn't have the usual grossness of pink eye. I thought possibly it had just been irritated and continued on with the rest of my day. I went for my run and headed to the coffee shop to get some school in. But, my eye wasn't getting any better. I could no longer avoid what i knew deep down I had pink eye. I called the doctor and arranged for medication.
Pink Eye is highly contagious until you get on the drops or ointment. I ad a mild case, but a case none the less that couldn't be pushed through or avoided. I was gonna have to face a dreaded sick day. Worse then a rest day for me is to force me to be home all day, lying in bed and not being able to do much. If i'm gonna have a day off this is not how I would want to spend it.
I did rest and then I decided to have some fun and make the best of this sick day/rest day when my eye was feeling a little better and less scratchy. I decided to have a cozy horror movie night in. Halloween is a few days away and I love a scary movie. I put up some sheets and blankets over my canopy bed. hung up some lights and lit some candles. I made myself a hot buttered rum and some popcorn.
I'm not writing this so that people will feel sorry for me. But, I do write this as a reminder that if like me you struggle to take a rest day, personal day or just a night in that you should do that. That it's okay to take that time for yourself guilt-free to recharge your batteries. You will be better for it as well. By taking care of yourself; you will have more energy to give to others, have better fitness performance and all around will be happier.
-The Athleisureist
