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Taking time for yourself—it sounds impossible, especially if you have a family. Taking time for yourself, however, is one of the most important natural remedies to helping you stay focused, sane and fulfilled. The tricky part to doing this is when you want to put your family first without sacrificing yourself.
“The soul has an absolute, unforgiving need for regular excursions into enchantment.
It requires them like the body needs food and the mind needs thought.”
~Thomas Moore
Self-Nurture
Taking time for yourself is about self-nurture; not taking a moment to tie up loose ends in your day. It is about doing something (you enjoy) because you want to, not because you have to. Marianne Legato, author of Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget, states:
"If you never have any time except reactive time -- things you must do for others -- you don't have a sense of control. You are interrupted all the time. Your brain has trouble resting even during sleep. Such chronic exhaustion increases the release of stress hormones, and your blood sugar rises.
“If this is your normal state, then the physical consequences increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and memory problems. If that's not enough to scare you into taking some time for yourself, consider this: The hormonal effects of always being on edge help deposit fat right around your waist.”
How I Do It
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| Taking a cat nap |
It is easy for me as a writer to tell you all about how to take time for yourself and list some ideas. However, it is also important to practice what I preach. As a workaholic, wife and caregiver, I must take a moment to let myself breathe every day. Activities I enjoy doing for myself include:
- Breathing. I literally take five, ten or even twenty minutes to focus on my breathing and practice breathing exercises. This helps focus and center myself.
- Taking a nap. Yes, it is a guilty pleasure that I utterly enjoy.
- Playing mindless games on the computer. When I feel particularly stressed-out, mindless games help stop the racing thoughts about what I have to do and finish, and helps get my mind off my needles worries.
- Crafting. Studies show that repetitive motions can be relaxing. I enjoy crocheting, knitting, embroidery and needlepoint while sitting in front of the TV.
- Audio books. Perfect for when I want to unwind and just sit, I play an audio book on my MP3 player to help me focus on something enjoyable. I also enjoy listening to audio books while working out at the gym because the time seems to go by so quickly.
- Reading. Popping into another world for a bit can almost feel like a vacation.
- Meditation. Although it seems tricky to get into, meditation is one of the easiest, quickest ways to fell refreshed, fulfilled and relaxed. There are many ways to meditate that do not involve sitting on the floor and chanting, “Om.” For example, I like to go on a walk with the intent to be mindful of everything that pleases my eye, focusing on positive thoughts, praying and using guided imagery.
Solitude is a lost art. Taking time for yourself does not mean you must disconnect yourself from your loved ones. It is a matter of saying, “I am taking time for me so I can better serve you.”
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Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
