Mental health is just as important as physical health, but something that isn't spoken about as often. In a world full of business meetings, play dates, chores and making sure everyone else is okay, we can forget The Importance Of "Me Time". That can have a huge impact on our mental health.
As a woman, life is all about juggling and managing. You take care of the family, manage your work, keep track of your own health, deal with the difficult parts of life like the period pain, mocking at the workplace, labor at home, and more. Yet women are supposed to handle all of these issues gracefully, with a smile on their faces and strength in their minds.
Oh, what we wouldn’t do for an extra hour or two during the day for some “me time.” But making yourself the top priority is hard when you have aseemingly endless to-do list of family, work, and school obligations.
"Taking care of ourselves is a crucial part of living a full life."
When you treat yourself well, it will trickle down to everything else in life—your partner, children, classmates, coworkers etc. Whether it is going to a park to read a book for a half hour, treating yourself to a pedicure, or trying that new yoga class, here are tips to carve out some time for yourself!
Get up Earlier
You have probably heard this suggestion before. This time, actually give it a try! Try it for a week straight, and then decide if it is for you. Set your alarm for 15 minutes before you would normally wake up. Use that time to be quiet, write in a journal, or engage in any activity that restores you.
Use your shower time
Taking a shower may be your only naturally built in alone time during the day. Take advantage of it! Purchase some aroma therapy products that you love and treat each shower like it is a spa getaway. Take some deep breaths and let the warm water wash away any tension that you were having.
Schedule it
We schedule doctor’s appointments and work meetings, why not schedule some “me time”? Pencil it into your calendar lender just like you would for any other important event. It may seem silly, but this is how you will be able to remind yourself, and hold yourself accountable, to giving yourself some alone time.
Make it count
While it may be tempting to spend your free time running errands or catching up on school work, commit to spending the time to pamper yourself. Start a craft, or enjoy a warm cup of tea. You don’t have to spend a lot of time, but it has to be for yourself.
Reading
Sometimes you just want to read something a bit trashy. Something that you don’t have to concentrate too hard on or learn anything from. So, once or twice a week, I spend 30 minutes on the sofa whilst Dave takes Avery out for a walk. I read something purely for pleasure whilst enjoying a cup of tea.
What will change if you spend some time by yourself?
Spending some time alone will only result in positive changes. The progress might be slow, but taking time out of your hectic schedule to take a break often results in good things for your mind, body, and soul! It will also, eventually, lead to a better time for your loved ones.
When you spend some time alone with yourself, you feel refreshed. You get a new energy source that lasts very long and your mood tends to lift. You perform better at your work and as a result, you probably keep people around you happier as well.
All this happens because you are happy yourself.
When your needs are taken care of and your mind is not messy, it tends to reflect upon your life and choices. You have your thoughts sorted, a clearer vision, and a happier mood.
So ladies, don’t forget to spend some time on yourself. You will be keeping yourself and your relationships healthy, both physically and mentally!