I’m doing the A to Z Challenge in April using the theme “What to Pack on Your Creative Journey.”  Whether you’re taking a physical trip or a creative journey, it’s a good idea to schedule rest along the way.

Sleep is the best meditation. ~The Dalai Lama, People magazine, September 10, 1979

I tend to pack way too much into an itinerary, whether it’s a trip to Paris (once in a lifetime!) or my plan for the day.

An overpacked to-do list invariably leads to a lower quality experience and less creative output — I have plenty of evidence from my own life to prove it.

La Sieste
Woodcut by Charles
Picart-le-Doux, France,
ca. 1925
© Victoria and Albert Museum, Londo

Here are some ways to build rest into a creative day:

• Exercise. A walk outdoors or a yoga routine are most restful for me and I usually return to my desk with new ideas.
• Variety. A change from one project to another can give my mind just the break it needs.
• Pomodoro breaks. The Pomodoro Technique requires a five-minute break after each 25-minute work session. These breaks refresh my mind and my mood.
• My journal. When I take little time to reflect on what I’ve been doing and learning in my journal, I gain perspective and direction for my current task.
• Sleep. A good night’s sleep, of course, is the basis for being well-rested. As a life-long insomniac, I take my sleep routines very seriously — a nightly warm bath, a guided sleep meditation, set times for going to bed and getting up, and no naps.

What helps you take time to rest as needed?