Is it just me or is there a tear in the time space continuum?  After all, time is clearly speeding up.  I don’t remember the weeks, months and years flashing by quite as quickly as they do now.  You turn around and another year has blown by.   What is happening?   It’s almost impossible to see time pass and the related changes that take place in ourselves.  In fact, I’m convinced that the main reason we have children is so that we can notice time.  Think of it, you have a living representation of how quickly life goes by.   First, you’re changing diapers, then getting them ready for school, next thing you know they’re getting married and then before you know it, they’re changing your diaper.  No, not really but you get the drift – time just flashes by.  

With time moving this fast, who has time to waste on foolish things like sleep and rest?  I’m trying to maximize my time by packing as much as I can into each day.  My schedule is always filled, and exercise is a key component.  I’m striving to get into awesome shape, and I book time each day to work out.  I usually spend between 60 and 90 minutes with some form of activity.   I make sure that I grind enough to break a sweat.  This may include walking, running, strength training, core work, yoga, cycling or chasing the damn squirrels out of the bird feeder (I’m not sure if this qualifies as an “official exercise” but it sure gets me and the squirrels moving).  What’s not on that list but is of equal importance is rest.  I have learned over the years that rest is the secret ingredient in making physical improvements and fighting back against the effects of time.

Rest is important for everyone but especially vital as we age.  As we grow older, we simply don’t bounce back the way we once did.  I’m not talking about one too many glasses of wine, although that’s true, no, I’ve noticed that it’s taking me longer to recover from hard work, injury or any bug I may have picked up.  Back in the day there wasn’t much that would keep me down.  Sure, I’d feel sore or lousy some days and I’d catch a flu bug once every few years that would knock me for a loop, but generally I charged through everything.   Now, as they say in the country, that dog don’t hunt no more.  It takes me longer to recuperate from all of the above.   If I’ve done a hard work out or a day of physical labour in the yard, I feel it the next morning.   I can’t match the previous day’s effort and I don’t try.   I generally take it easy or even take a day or two off to recuperate.   I have found that in the end it pays to take the easier, restful way.     

The need for rest hit right between the eyes (and my back and legs and shoulders…) just the other day.  My neighbor had invited me out to golf.    Being relatively new in town and then locked down for the last year has made it impossible to get to know people.   So, this was a great opportunity to make a new golf buddy.  Saturday rolled around and the day was spectacular.   I started off with a run with my wife – just a short 5 k.   When we finished, I decided I hadn’t had enough so I went for another 5.   After that I spent the day working around the house.  Our tee time was 6 pm and although we’d have to play briskly, we’d have just enough time to get 9 holes in before the sun set.   It all went according to plan.   The next day however, I was a wreck.   Not only had I used muscles I hadn’t in a long time, but I was physically drained.   Needless to say, a rest day wasn’t optional – it was mandatory.  

Rest is an elixir.  It is the ingredient that allows our bodies to not only recuperate but to build back stronger.  When we stress our bodies with exercise and hard work, we damage our muscles through strain and exertion.  This is why we’re sore.  Rest allows our muscles to repair the small tears we’ve made in the muscle fiber.  Not only that but with sufficient rest the muscles are able to build on their capacity and become stronger.   Our bodies adapt to the stress we’ve put them under, and this is how we gain strength.  Hey, who doesn’t want to be stronger?  Without adequate rest in the mix, you simple continue to tear muscle down which can lead to exhaustion and injury.  The next thing you know the squirrels are in the feeder and you’re too damn sore to get up and chase them away – okay maybe that’s just me.  

The other interesting observation I’ve made is that rest comes easier now that I’m a little older.   While I still can have that “go, go, go” attitude it’s tempered these days. (Although squirrels have been known to bring out in me).   Now I’m okay to take the rest I need.   I understand that it outwardly seems like I’m not doing much, but I know better.   When I rest, I understand my body is hard at work rebuilding itself into a new form.   I’ve pushed it and now it needs rest to build back better and better is what I’m still striving toward.  

So, remember if you’ve worked hard, say, chasing the squirrels out of your bird feeder, then take the rest you need to repair.   If anyone gives you grief, tell them you’re not resting, you’re under construction.