The Importance of Taking Time for yourself
Life can sometimes be hectic, and we’re probably all guilty of not taking enough time out. In this crazy word we live in right now, one thing this year has taught me is the importance of taking time for yourself.
As a working mum, life can be extremely busy. I found myself splitting my time between work and looking after my family and used to rarely take time for myself. If I did ever take a few minutes to sit and enjoy a cuppa, I’d feel lazy, guilty, and still be stressing about all the things I should be doing. So instead of it making me feel better, it used to make me feel worse.
Roll on 2020, and a year of unsettlement, worry and anxiety. At the start of lockdown my mental health was suffering. Panic attacks, depression and negativity were all feelings that crept back in after forgetting about how debiliting they where back in my 20s. It started having an impact on those around me and I knew I needed to do something about it.
One positive of this crazy year is that it has demonstrated the importance of taking time for yourself, that it’s not being selfish or lazy, and actually should be prioritised. If you can’t look after yourself, then how can you look after those around you?
It sounds easy, right? However our mindsets still
Allowing myself to take time out from 24/7 duties has made me a better person, a better wife and mother, and most importantly improved my confidence, happiness and general mental wellbeing.
For me it was discovering the joy of open water swimming, being so close to nature and seeing the world from a different perspective. For James it was taking long solitary bike rides, a way he was able to switch off and just focus on the road ahead. Everyone is different, and you just need to find your escape.
Ideas for Taking Time For Yourself
Time for yourself can be anything from as little as enjoying a few minutes flicking through a magazine, doing an activity you enjoy or embarking on a new project. The important thing is it should be something just for you, and an actiivity that allows your mind to switch off from the mundane day to day. Something you can fully immerse yourself in and truly relax, with no external stresses, enjoying something for you and not pleasing others.
Activities are different for everyone, but here are a few ideas:
- Simply enjoying a cuppa sitting in the garden, or with a good book.
- A long luxorius bubble bath.
- Just sitting and reflecting on the world, find a comfy seat and an area of quiet and stillness.
- A few minutes of quiet meditation.
- Yoga is a physical activity, but I find it very calming and relaxing.
- Exercise. For some exercise is a chore, but finding a physical activity that you truly enjoy does not feel like exercise and can be truly liberating.
Things to think about when taking time for yourself
- Don’t feel selfish and abandon the guilt. Looking after yourself is not selfish, it’s a necessity.
- Solitude is not loneliness and don’t get the two muddled up. It’s important to embrace your own company and actually enjoy it.
- Self care should always be prioritised. Easy said than done when there are a million other things to do, but you must make it a priority every single day.
The Benefits of taking Time for Yourself
There are lots of health benefits of simple taking a little time out, so why aren’t we all doing it? If you’re not yet convinced that you need to make it your number one priority, then here are some of the known benefits of taking time for yourself.
- Improves mental health and reduces anxiety
- Makes you feel rejuvenated and less fatigued
- Combats stress, and allows you to dela with stressful situations better
- Better control of emotions
- Improved confidence and self esteem
- Improves clarity of the mind
- Makes you a better person inside and out
Top Tips for taking time out for yourself
- Schedule some me time- just like you would a meeting or an exercise class. Do what works for you, write it on your to do list or in your diary but allow yourself some time each day (even if it’s 10 mins) just for yourself.
- Turn off your phone and detach from social media and the world around you. This about taking time out for yourself, not reading about other peoples woes. Unplug and allow yourself just to be with you.
- Allow yourself to relax. Drop the guilt, don’t think about what you should be doing and immerse yourself in what you’ve chosen to do.
- Make it count. Only doing something that you truly enjoy and that allows you to switch off and just be content.
Whatever you do to relax, just allow yourself. We all deserve some ‘me’ time in whatever shape or form that comes. We need to look after ourselves physically and mentally as we’re the best equipped to know what our mind and body needs. No one else knows you as well as you know yourself.
If you manage to do it regularly, I promise you you will not look back and see it as a waste of time, but wonder why you havent been doing it longer!
What do you do to take time for yourself? Everyone is different, but I’d love to hear how you relax in the comments.
Kerry x
