MECS Matters

Building our Community

The Importance of Pausing and Resting

In our busy world and culture today, we often experience very full schedules and endless activities. However, rest and downtime are crucial for our wellbeing, in many ways. I love that our God created Sabbath for us; to help us slow down, pause, and remind ourselves that our value is in who he says we are (not our productivity!). 

 

Benefits of Rest

  • Mental Health: Regular breaks reduce stress and anxiety, helping children face challenges calmly.
  • Cognitive Function: Rest improves memory and learning, helping in our learning at school, work, and play!
  • Physical Health: Good sleep and rest boost the immune system and improve mood.
  • Emotional Wellbeing: Pausing allows children (and us all!) to process emotions and build self-awareness and resilience.
  • Spiritual Wellbeing: Rest provides time to filter out the noise, providing time for reflection and spiritual growth. It allows children (and us all) to better hear and connect with God, fostering peace and purpose in Him. 

Creating Balance

  • Prioritise Sleep: Ensure your child (and you!) have consistent bedtime routines in a restful environment.
  • Schedule Downtime: Include quiet, calming activities in your child’s daily routine.
  • Limit Over-Scheduling: Avoid packing too many activities into your child’s schedule. Allow time for relaxation, play, and dare I say it - even time for kids to feel bored! (there are so many benefits to boredom… but that’s for another time…😉)
  • Model Restful Behaviour/Walk the Talk 😊: Show your child the importance of taking breaks by doing so yourself. Relax or rest together as a family, such as family walks or quiet time together.
  • Create a Calm Environment: Identify peaceful spaces at home for your child to unwind, such as inside tucked away on a comfy chair or outside under a tree, for example. Involve your child in deciding where and what the calm spaces look like.

Including rest and downtime into your family’s life is essential for growth and wellbeing. Let’s remind, encourage, and practically support each other of this as we begin Term 3.

 

Some Encouraging Bible Verses about Resting with God:

  • Mark 2:27: ‘And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."’
  • Mark 6:31: ‘And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” …’
  • Proverbs 3:24: ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.’

Bonnie Evans

Secondary Wellbeing Coordinator, Edu. & Dev. Psychologist