Having enjoyed my Mother’s Day immensely, I found myself reflecting on what made it so nice. I could not help but appreciate that it was a day of relaxation. My ‘children are adults, and I know that being a mom to an adult vs. a small child is completely different. My adults understand the value of relaxing and pampering while your toddler needs your undivided attention. So, relaxing on Mother’s Day may be a long way off. That doesn’t mean you cannot set aside time for yourself.
So many of us try to be everything to everyone. We are a mom, a sister, a friend, a co-worker, a wife, a partner, and more. We know the value of relaxing – but who has time?
The bottom line is nobody has time. We have to make time.
Consider the benefits of taking time to yourself. In an article discussing the benefits of taking adult timeouts (article link below) Pollack compares adult timeouts to children’s timeouts. She explains that taking a step away to think, relax and regroup can change our perspective. It allows us to formulate our thoughts better.
There are 7,200 minutes in a week… ok you might be asleep for 3,360 of them… but that still leaves a lot of time. What if you set aside 10 minutes a day 5 days a week – to walk, read, meditate, drive (with nowhere to go). Maybe you can make a list of things you would like to think about. Maybe 10 minutes is enough time to consider the gift you would like to purchase for a friend. Maybe 10 minutes is enough time to think about a question you have yet to answer. Maybe 10 minutes is enough time to put one foot in front of the other and work up a sweat.
Just start investing time in yourself. Investing time in yourself will pay off. In fact, the bigger the investment, the bigger the benefit.
Imagine being more patient, more focused, more able to be objective, and more emotionally available to respond to your family, your friends, your co-workers. The more time you invest in yourself, your sanity, the better you will be.
In fact, LiveHealth states that the 5 benefits of time for yourself are improved mental health, creativity, self-esteem, empathy, and emotional intelligence. (Link below) Could you use one, more, or ALL of these things? If you had any of these things would it make you a better person? Can you find 10 minutes a few times a week?
I am not just saying this. I actually tried it. In January, I began taking 15 minutes a day to work out. I know – it doesn’t seem like a lot. But that was the best part. I woke up 15 minutes earlier. It didn’t feel overwhelming and I didn’t dread it. It didn’t take away from my day – oh – well, I guess I lost 15 minutes of sleep… but I didn’t miss it!
After 2 weeks, I really felt good. I started looking forward to that time. It allowed me to stop the rest of the world and focus on myself. I could review the day in my head or not… I didn’t answer the phone or make myself crazy. Granted some days I was still half asleep, I didn’t go far, just downstairs with some weights and a video. Nobody to impress, nobody to chat with or distract me. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I added a day to make it 6 days a week. After 4 weeks, I added 5 minutes. After 8 weeks I added 10 minutes. Yes, I am getting up earlier now. And it is worth it. After my time, I can think more clearly. I am more inspired and ready for the day. When I miss a day or two… or more. I miss it. I mean I really miss it. I make it up by sneaking away and taking 10 minutes to breathe. Honestly, just looking around at nature or people-watching can relax me.
Ok, enough about me. This is about YOU. If I can do it – I do not doubt that you can too.
Try it today! Start Small – 5 Minutes. No social media… no phone calls… no distractions. Set a timer. You are minutes away from a better you!
https://www.ksl.com/article/30918020/the-benefits-of-taking-adult-timeouts
https://livehealthonline.com/blog/categories/health-management/health-benefits-taking-time-yourself/#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20people%20who,and%20lower%20rates%20of%20depression.