The importance of proper rest, although listed last, is as important as the other six essentials. Rest probably should be listed as fifth since the body and the soul cannot thrive for very long without quality time spent rejuvenating the body and connecting with our soul and creative spirit. Consider the amount of time each of the essentials require in order for us to be and become the best possible version of who we really are (healthy, productive and happy). Ideally …

1. We think 100% of the time, of coarse,
2. breathe 100% of the time
3. and are 60 to 70% water.
4. If we nourish the body 33% of the day (eat during eight hours),
5. enjoy sunlight 8.3% (2 hours),
6. exercise 10% (may vary)
7. and rest 33% (8 hours)

Understanding the above time formula helps us to make better choices in all of the seven areas. The urgency of each area becomes apparent when we realize that a time deficiency in any one of them has a negative effect on the other six. And, that the resulting symptoms are insidious because we think we’re getting away with these poor choices. We’re not! It’s simply a slow process. Listen to your body. Consistent tiredness is a warning symptom for you to make better choices or live with the results. Think about the consequences of your choices in each area …

Thinking is impossible to stop unless we’re dead.
Breathing is also impossible to stop, because the innate intelligence takes over.
Without water we eventually die.
Without nourishment we eventually die.
Without sunlight, yes we eventually die.
Without exercise, yes, we eventually die.
And yes, without rest, we also eventually die.

So the key word here is eventually. And that’s because the frequency of poor choices not only dictates the quality of life, but also the length of life. Be aware that the results of consistent poor choices will sneak up on you. This is due to the erroneous belief (we’ve been told) that the symptoms are just a sign of our age. Therefore the question is not, should I change how I think, breathe, drink, eat, spend time in the sun, exercise and rest. Instead ask yourself this … am I choosing to be and become fully alive and healthy or dead earlier than necessary? It’s just a matter of time and it is my choice!

This may seem redundant and negative. So I must point out, that the opposite is also true. When we learn and create new beliefs and thus make new healthy choices, we are maximizing the quality and length of our life and the ability to become who we really are. Also, having already gone through the other six essentials it may seem redundant. However, I’ve done this to point out the importance of how each effects good healthy rest. And that’s not only healthy for the body, but also for the mind, soul and spirit.

Most people relate rest to time spent rather than how they rest. And how we rest is far more important. Our creator has designed the body to spend approximately 1/3 of the day for the performance of each of three basic functions …
1/3 nourishing the body for 8 hours … (includes sunlight)
1/3 cleansing and detoxifying the body for 8 hours
and 1/3rd resting and rebuilding for 8 hours … (includes moonlight)

Because there’s only 24 hours in a day … poor choices and time deficits in one area will result in deficits in the other two. Notice how each area affects all three. It’s about balance.

If healthy choices in the first six essential areas are understood, believed in and practiced you will have good rest. That’s why it’s listed last.

More what to and not to do tips …

1. Allow approximately 8 hours for rest
2. Eat only fruit and drink only water or specific resting herbal teas three hours prior to sleep.
3. If possible, protein should be consumed before and as the mid-day meal. This is the time that you are most active in order to burn it off.
4. Set your body clock to sleep and rise at the same time daily. If you require an alarm clock or sleeping pills you will wake up tired.
5. Sleep in a pleasant compatible environment.
6. Play meditation music as you prepare for sleep. Sound is an important part of your sleeping environment. Get the TV out of your bedroom.
7. If possible, position your bed so that the moonlight is visible
8. Your bed is best done up in natural fiber fabrics such as 100% cotton, down and wool, as their energy is most compatible to yours.
9. Spend time prior to sleep, in meditation (prayer) with creative focus on want you want (love). Never on what you don’t want (fear).
10. Review your day and verbally forgive it’s unpleasant situations, those involved and yourself. Then see the good in the situation and be thankful for that good as well as the joys of the day. This will create more joyful situations.

Here’s and excerpt from “The Soul Purpose” book by Dr. M. T. Morter, Jr.
“When you get up in the morning, you can make a new start. You can make changes in your life that will affect the rest of your days on this earth. Isn’t that exciting? It is a marvelous feeling to know that the decisions you make today, this day, can mark the beginning of a new life for you. Your life is determined according to the choices you make today. You can lie in bed all day eating donuts, drinking coffee, and watching TV – or you can hop up, go for a walk, eat some fruit, drink a glass of juice, and read an inspirational passage or two from a motivational source. You can dread your day at a dreary job or be thankful for the ability to work and better yourself by learning from the experiences of the day. You can judge everyone and everything around you as stupid and unimportant or you can see others as unique and equal. You can strike out with anger or open your arms with love. It is your choice.”