Do You Schedule Rest Time for Yourself?

By Melissa Withem-Voss

2 min read

Resting is an important part of being healthy. A body that works has to have time to rest. Think about everything we put our bodies through in a day. Now add the fact that we have psoriasis, and don't forget the mental aspect of daily living.

My day consists first of stiffly moving out of bed. Second, dressing is a contest but able to be done. Third, preparing a diabetic breakfast. Fourth, feeding my furry family... 2 dogs and 3 cats. There is no rest or breaks at this point. At this point, my day can vary. Some days, it is household chores. Other days, it might be errands, and others, it might be a day to care for my 90 year old father who has dementia. My adult children help out with the chores, errands, and sometimes their grandpa. The only break I get is sitting to eat. Then I have to eat lunch. Eating healthy is vital for everyone. Next, is time for my paperwork, calls, or writing time. This doesn't last terribly long before I see the clock and start prep work for dinner. Once dinner is made I finally find time to rest!

Learning to accept rest

In a perfect world, I would find more time to rest. Then comes the unexpected... pain and tiredness. Swelling is often a part of the pain. Not just a physical tiredness but mental tiredness. Once in a while, waking up is hard for me. Getting dressed can take a bit, but so far, I have not had a need to have help. Breakfast goes well most days. Family pets have become a shared chore. Everyone helps out. I handle feeding them when I am able.

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Control is something I have a real issue giving up. At first, I was mad at myself that I couldn't do everything I wanted to. It seemed to me like I should be able to do so much more. When you think about it though, you can't ask anyone to do more than they can. Why have been unable to admit that I am not able to do everything I want to do? But, everything and everyone needs rest. Instead of wearing myself out, I have learned to give myself breaks.

Scheduling more breaks for myself

As I begin to work on my schedule for my day now, there are breaks I purposely add in. Learning to recognize signs of pain, discomfort, and tiredness is helping me to know when breaks should be included in my day. Having resting spots has made me more able to complete all of my tasks. Admittedly, there are times that I have to learn to reschedule things for the next day so that I can take some time to rest.

Overall, I have learned that I may in fact be a day late to get things done, but I will complete everything I want to do, in my own time. Scheduling breaks keeps me from losing hope, because doing something later doesn't mean I won't do it! Adjusting my schedule keeps things from being overwhelming and impossible. Try it and let me know!

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Latoya.Juniel Community Admin
<inline-mention username="Melissa Withem-Voss" user-id="3320950"/> I really enjoyed your article. I learned so much about my own routine and learned that I'm not scheduling my rest at all. I overload myself with work, my kid's activities, and other things to feel productive, but I pay for it later. Your article gave me a lot to think about as I work harder to prioritize myself this year. Thank you so much for sharing, I will try to take your advice! Warmly, Latoya (Team Member)
mmatyja Member
When I read your article just now, I thought you were talking about me! I struggle with the exact same things, from getting out of bed to getting dressed to feeding my self and my fur babies to getting on with my daily chores and business. And scheduling rest and resting places throughout my house has been a problem for me because we just moved and I often forget and push myself too hard and then I pay for it later on. Thank you so much for your article, it helps to know that I am not alone in dealing with my autoimmune diseases. I did not expect plaque psoriasis and arthritis to deal such a blow to my life. Thank you. 
1. Melissa Withem-Voss Contributor
 <inline-mention username="mmatyja" user-id="8798414"/> I am glad you are looking to give yourself a break. I am famous for thinking I can "Do it ALL" You should definitely think about trying the Paper Plate technique. Take a plain white paper plate and write down everything you do in the day. Now pretend you have to give this paper plate to a loved one. What would you think was too much for them? Would you remove anything for them? Now look at what you expect of yourself...Is it too much? Why do you expect yourself to do more than someone else? Give it a try and let me know. In the mean time keep planning those rests.
2. DianeT Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="mmatyja" user-id="8798414"/> , Thanks so much for chiming in. I like what the writer said about scheduling breaks. I just turned 66 on 2/2 and everybody wants something. I have a father, (90 years old), who is independent. He doesn't want to leave his home and lives 3 hours from me. I visit him 3 times a week and I'm his caregiver. Now let's add in a husband, 2 sons, 6 grandkids, 1 great-grandbaby, and 2 fur babies. They all think I'm Wonder Woman. You have to take time for yourself and as she said, schedule breaks. It took me a while to get here, but I take time for myself and schedule breaks now. We are all in this together. What type of fur babies do you have? I have 2 beagles (Flappy 5 and Coco 3). They are so spoiled. Diane (Team Member)
mmatyja Member
I have two dogs and two cats. One of the dogs is blind. The house that we just moved into has stairs going into the backyard and it’s become a problem for me to carry my blind dog downstairs so that he can get into the yard. It’s a problem because of my psoriatic arthritis. I didn’t realize that it was all from inflammation from my autoimmune diseases. I also have ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s and diabetes. I’m going to have to put in a ramp from the back door so that my dog can get down to the backyard. 
1. DianeT Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="mmatyja" user-id="8798414"/> , I loved animals. If I could, they would be my family. I don't like stairs anymore. I have only fallen down them once, but keep falling up them. It is hard carrying our babies with our illnesses. I can't walk mind like like I used to. I had to put up a fence, which was costly, but worth it so they could still get outside and play. I also have several chronic illnesses, so I get it. That is a good idea about the ramp, that will help a lot. Let us know how that works out. You take care and be careful out there. Diane (Team Member)