By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Genesis 2:2-3

Rest…seems to be a foreign word today especially when living in a 24/7 society. Think about it, we are always ‘on’ and the world around does not shut down. We have 24 access to stores, fast foods, coffee shops, social networking, internet, iphones, ipads, cell phones you name it, if you need it—it’s there at the push of a button or a drive in the car.

Although I doubt the Creator of the Universe actually became so exhausted that He had to take some time off, moreover, I believe he was trying to set an example for mankind.

Even God’s son needed time to rest and find renewal from the Father. Jesus said in Mark 6:31-32 “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” They needed to get away from the crowds just as we need to get away from crowds…

In order to be a better leader, mother, father, son, daughter or friend we need focused time to renew our minds with pockets of peace. Here are 21 ways you can get the refresh every day.

1. Place a few drops of essential oil onto a tissue and inhale for a few seconds or longer and remember a time or a place where you felt joy. Close your eyes and just be in the moment. Some oils to try are; peppermint, cypress, eucalyptus or geranium—they have a calming effect and awaken your senses—be sure to get oils at a reliable source like your local health food store or online at www.mountainroseherbs.com.
2. Take some deep breaths (we spend most of our lives breathing shallow.) Exhale a negative breath, in with a positive breath (while you are breathing in, quote scripture in your mind). Keep an index card handy of your favorite scriptures and recite them. Now breathe out four quick breathes…breathe in four quick breathes…repeat for a couple of minutes. God’s word is the breath of life.
3. Take time for picnic. Eat your lunch at a local park or nearby pond or lake and bring a book. Make it special by packing all the traditional picnic trimmings.
4. Create a special nook or room that you can go rest in God’s word. Surround yourself in a quiet corner in your home or closet. Place a candle on a small table along with your bible, prayer/journal book, photographs of loved ones, CD player, and a comfortable pillow for the chair or floor.
5. 21 day media fast (from negative sources), no TV or magazines. Replace with uplifting material.
6. Tea time- you don’t have to be in England to have tea and it’s for both men and women. Certain tea’s (Chamomile) are known to have a tranquil affect or enjoy traditional tea such as P&G tips, English breakfast. Turn on some inspiring music, get a couple of biscuits (cookies) or muffins and remember…cream first then pour the tea.
7. Lie on a hammock and absorb your natural surroundings. Look at the cloud formations and watch the birds that fly by.
8. Walk through a garden and embrace the beauty, don’t forget to smell the roses, then snap a photo and frame it. Keep the photo at your desk or in the kitchen as it will represent a place of solitude.
9. Listen to classical music, praise instrumental—preferably no words and begin to write out things that you want to do or that you enjoy doing. Just by writing it out will begin to create a calm state.
10. A good night sleep—do a few stretches before bedtime and sip on some chamomile tea. Grab a pad & pencil and write out your thoughts for the next day so they won’t linger in your mind and keep you up late. Ask the Lord to help you get a handle on the tasks at hand and know He’s got your back.
11. There is nothing like a steamy shower to erase mind clutter, try humming a few bars. To boost the emotions—start and end with a cold shower blast, it is known to help depression.
12. Go to a museum enjoy the past and present talent.
13. Virtual vacation—escape into your recliner and turn on the travel channel or check out a few DVDs at your library.
14. Plant a garden—with healing herbs in mind, God gave us these plants to heal our bodies why not create one in your back yard or have an aero garden on your counter top. Make little signs, such as Calming Chamomile or Brain boosting Rosemary.
15. Even if you are not an artist, grab some paint and some canvas and enjoy just making random brush strokes. You might want to check out your local art center and sign up for classes with a friend.
16. Pull out your digital camera and a bike and spend an afternoon taking a biking photo tour of your city. Take photos of things or places that other people would view as insignificant and visit a bistro or coffee shop along the way.
17. Check out the historic center or downtown area, where you can learn about your city via boat, walk or bike ride.
18. Watch a classic movie and escape for 90 minutes, it can bring back childhood memories.
19. Take an Epsom salt bath. It’s a natural calming detox to the body and helps balance your Ph. For an extra calming effect, you can add in a few drops of lavender essential oil.
20. Read a novel, click onto your favorite author website and look at what he or she has down for ‘favorite books’ usually they will have fiction and non-fiction.
21. Go on a walk and collect some foliage. Place your bouquet will see it first thing in the morning. W Flowers are known for generating smiles.

Remember it is just as important to take care of yourself as it is to help the needs of people you are ministering to. When you schedule those meetings, don’t forget to jot down R&R time for you. As the late preacher Vance Havner once said “If you don’t come apart and rest, you will come apart.”

SHELLY BALLESTERO is a life coach, herbalist, speaker and author of “Beauty by God.” Check out her Web site at shellyballestero.com. E-mail her your questions to her at