Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD {Book Review}

My new year started off with new pj's I bought for myself, a special Starbucks tumbler from my brother, and a book to read & review--Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD. I had no idea how much insight, clarity, comfort, assurance, education and challenge I would discover within the pages of this book. Dalton-Smith writes from a place of personal insight; not merely as a physician, but as a woman who has struggled with finding balance in her own life. Dalton-Smith doesn't shy away from the fact she is a Christian, and she shares Biblical truths that have strengthened her. It is clear she desires for her book and God's words to bring strength and encouragement to others as well.

The book begins by defining rest, and also showing specific areas where our rest can be found (and also depleted). Answering some questions lets the reader discover his or her own key area. Each detailed chapter brings great insight and understanding. As the book progresses, the reader discovers how various things are gifts to our bodies, minds, and emotions. By accepting those gifts (boundaries, reflection, art, & faith to name a few), it opens wide the realization that we can choose our best life. I have already recommended this book to the women in my small group, and I pray it is a book that will be a life-changer for many people.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to write a review. My honest opinion has been provided without any requirement to write a positive review.

About the book:

Staying busy is easy. Staying well rested- there's a challenge.

How can you keep your energy, happiness, creativity, and relationships fresh and thriving in the midst of never-ending family demands, career pressures, and the stress of everyday life? In Sacred Rest, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board-certified internal medicine doctor, reveals why rest can no longer remain optional.

Dr. Dalton-Smith shares seven types of rest she has found lacking in the lives of those she encounters in her clinical practice and research-physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sensory, social, creative-and why a deficiency in any one of these types of rest can have unfavorable effects on your health, happiness, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Sacred Rest combines the science of rest, the spirituality of rest, the gifts of rest, and the resulting fruit of rest. It shows rest as something sacred, valuable, and worthy of our respect.

By combining scientific research with personal stories, spiritual insight, and practical next steps, Sacred Rest gives the weary permission to embrace rest, set boundaries, and seek sanctuary without any guilt, shame, or fear.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

About the author:

Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is an author, speaker, and board-certified physician. She has an active medical practice in Alabama (near the Birmingham area). She received her B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Georgia, and graduated with honors from Meharry Medical College in Nashville. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Baker College and Davenport University in Michigan teaching courses on health, nutrition, and disease progression. Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and has been featured in Women's Day, Redbook, and First For Women magazine. She is the author of "Set Free to Live" and "Come Empty" (winner 2016 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year and 2016 Illumination Award Gold medalist). She is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association and a repeat keynote speaker at their annual gathering. She has shared her tips on merging faith and medicine with over 16,000 health care professionals to encourage the current and next generation of doctors to treat the whole person.

Find out more about Saundra at http://ichoosemybestlife.com.