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For me, autumn is synonymous with hygge, the Danish concept that is often translated as a kind of comfort. The cooler weather makes me want to curl up with a good book or watch a movie marathon under a blanket on the couch. And the autumn leaves invite me to take a break, go outside and enjoy the crisp joy of stepping on them.
But it can be hard to slow down in this fast-paced world, says Tricia Hersey, author of the new book. Rest is resistance: a manifesto. That is because our culture equates our value with our production. Too often, we only allow ourselves to rest so we have the energy to work harder or make more profit later, she argues, or after we’ve checked everything off our to-do list and are completely exhausted.
Rest, says Hersey, is a “divine human right” that should require no explanation or justification. “Rest is generative. It’s not frivolous and it’s not a luxury. It’s something that allows us to harness our creativity and imagination and heal our bodies.”
Stand up for yourself, he says, simply by taking the time to lie down.
Hersey is the founder of The Nap Ministry, a group that preaches the liberating power of leisure and relaxation and is known to fans as the “nap bishop.” listen to the episode to learn more about her philosophy on sleep and tips on how to make more room for sleep in your life. (It is strongly recommended to close your eyes and put your feet up while doing this.)
There are plenty of other ways to embrace your right to rest, leisure, and hygiene this fall season, whether it’s in the kitchen, the living room, or your favorite cozy corner of the house. Here is a summary of Life Kit episodes to inspire you.
Create more free time
Cozy up with a good book. Do you have a shelf full of unread novels that call your name? Don’t wait to start enjoying the joy of a good page turn. To harness the power and comfort of reading, listen to these episodes on how acquire a reading habit either start a reading ritual with your children.
Take a break from the internet. Maybe you’re okay with the idea of resting, but your phone won’t stop ringing and ringing and you can’t keep your doom from scrolling. This episode has practical tips on how to detach yourself from your screens — from intentionally leaving your phone at home to pausing to check your messages.
Find ease and comfort in the kitchen.
Reduce cooking and cleanup time. In this episode, food writer Melissa Clark explains how prepare easy meals for the family with a single pan. This tactic, he says, can help reduce the time we spend cooking and cleaning, and give us more time to rest.
Embrace the warmth of nostalgic foods. Recreating a beloved family dish can feed both soul and stomach, especially if we invite our relatives to cook with us. This episode teaches you how to honor your family memories and stories through food.
Bake a cozy treat. Nothing says comfort like a hot dessert to wrap up a delicious meal, amirite? Listen to this episode on how to make better and prettier cakes. Whether it’s with fancy designs or crispier, more colorful crusts this season, then grab a fork and a friend and savor every bite of your creation.
Make your home an oasis of calm
Don’t let clutter get in the way of rest. If you are someone who needs a clean house for a clear mind, this episode on how to create a cleaning routine is a great place to start. Explain why you should dust before mopping and clean from top to bottom. For more tips, check out our guide on environmentally sustainable cleaning products Y learn to organize your kitchen utensils with Deb Perelman of the Smitten Kitchen food blog. I feel that you already feel that impeccable relaxation.
Participate in the ‘decoration of comfort’. The places we spend the most time in have a huge impact on the way we think. “Comfort decoration,” says environmental psychologist Sally Agustin, is the practice of de-stressing your spaces and making your home your sanctuary. In this Life Kit episode, he explains how color can enhance the feel of a space (for example, blues create calm and greens spark creativity) and the benefits of having houseplants.
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