Health Benefits of Pajama Days | Slowing Life Down

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It’s that time of year where pajamas are a hot purchase in the stores. We often schedule pajama days for the family, when there is an opportunity to say no to other non-important events. I knew that spending this time with the family was important but I didn’t realize the health benefits of pajama days until recently.

I recently discovered a podcast episode, Inspired Conversations with Amy Schuber – Episode 433 (Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith), that truly blew my mind. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith explained that there were 7 types of rest that we may need to create balance.

I was shocked to learn that this form of self-care was defined into specific categories. When thinking through the different types of rest, I realized that a simple pajama day can help achieve many of these types of rest. It also adds a bit of hygge to your life and slows down this busy Christmas season.

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Health Benefits of Pajama Days

According to Dr. Dalton-Smith, there are 7 types of rest that we may need to include in our lives. How much of each kind of rest, will depend upon our own needs. Everyone is unique in what they specifically need to get enough rest.

1. Physical Rest – Passive physical rest is sleep and Active physical rest is a restorative movement like walking or stretching or yoga.
2. Mental Rest – is what is needed to clear the Busy mom brain so you can have a peaceful sleep
3. Emotional Rest – is being allowed to drop the mask and be your authentic self
4. Social Rest – is allowing yourself to share your story through personal connections (face to face connections)
5. Spiritual Rest – is developing a relationship with a higher being (something bigger than you)
6. Sensory Rest – is when your senses are overloaded and your tolerance to light, sound, or smell is low. Finding ways to rest those senses will help restore you.
7. Creative Rest – allowing yourself to feel awe and wonder through nature or beauty, where there is an awakening inside you and you are able to be more present at that moment.

She talks more about each of these in her book Sacred Rest.

Health Benefits of Pajama Days (Just You)

Let’s look at a pajama day for just you, as a busy mom. Pretend the kids are at school or at a friend’s house and the husband is at work. You give yourself permission to make it a pajama day. No housework allowed, just a day of self-care bliss! (I know this might be hard, just dream with me for a bit)

What would you gain from this simple choice?

• You could sleep in (physical rest)
• The slow day will help calm the busy mom brain (mental rest)
• You don’t need to pretend to be perfect or perform for anyone (emotional rest)
• You can choose to spend some quiet moments connecting with a higher power through meditation or prayer (spiritual rest)
• Shutting down technology and enjoying quiet moments (sensory rest)
• Reading a book whisks you away to another world, allowing yourself to be present at that moment (creative rest)

Health Benefits of Pajama Days (The Family)

Let’s look at a pajama day with the family. Typically you are running around taking kids here and there. When you get a day where there are no expectations it can be a perfect recipe for a pajama day. Gather the games and simple meal ideas and just have fun with the family.

What would you gain from this simple choice?

• If the kids are teens, sleeping in might be an option (physical rest)
• Having trouble slowing that busy mom brain? Write that to-do list for tomorrow then enjoy the day (mental rest)
• It’s easy being yourself with the family and having fun (emotional rest)
• Spending the day with the family, playing games, and having fun together (social rest)
• Make it a technology-free day and use board games or card games to have fun (sensory rest)
• No distractions, just learning to be in the moment while you enjoy seeing the joy on your family’s faces and hearing their laughter (creative rest)

Whether you gain the full types of rest for your pajama day will depend upon how much permission you give yourself to present in those moments. It will be hard at first to shut the busy mom brain down so you can be more mindful of your day of rest, but it gets easier. I promise.  You just need to keep practicing!

What do you have to lose?

A bit more dust, and maybe some dirty dishes. That’s nothing when you look at the health benefits of pajama days, the special moments with your family, and the memories you’ve gained.

Book your next pajama day today and start your simple life journey!

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