We have 24 hours daily, yet some of us feel like we don’t have enough time. If you constantly wish for more time, it’s time to make a change. Take a look at how you spend your time. Are you spending too much time on social media? Do you watch TV for hours every night? Have you over-committed your time, energy, or talents to things that are not the best choice for you? Have you taken the time to look at what is eating up your days and your energy?
Realizing you need to make time for yourself is the first step in the right direction. It is essential to set aside time each day for yourself. Then, use this time to do something that recharges you. Recharging might come from a walk, a phone call to an old friend, or just sitting in silence.
In a fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to take time for yourself. But it’s important to remember that taking time for yourself is essential for your mental and physical health.
How to Find Some “You” Time
Wake up earlier than usual and use that extra time to do something for yourself, like reading, praying, or meditating. If you cannot do this first thing in the morning, take a break during your lunch hour to walk outside or listen to your favorite podcast.
Look for ways to say “No” to commitments that take up too much of your time. Learning to practice the art of saying “No” without feeling guilty is vital. Remember that “No” is a complete sentence and often does not require an explanation.
Set a timer on your phone to remind you to take a break during the day. If you need a reminder placing one in your calendar or your alarms will help remind you to take a break. It may only be 5-15mins, but you may be amazed at how your productivity increases.
Turn off your phone, place it on silence, and put it in another room when you need to focus. We often find ourselves carrying our phones everywhere we go. Leave it somewhere for a time, and breathe.
Keep a journal by your bed or on your coffee table so you can write down your feelings before falling asleep. The practice of journaling allows you to leave your tension on a page instead of heading to bed with it. Journaling also allows you to reflect on your life as a series of celebrations and challenges.
Take a bath instead of a shower. Slow down and relax. Often sitting in a warm bath of lavender or eucalyptus helps to cleanse you around both mentally and physically.
Take your dog or yourself for a walk before bed to help you relax and unwind. I have tried this with my cat, and she didn’t enjoy the exercise, or maybe it was the leash.
Make time to read a good book or listen to music in the evening. Make sure it is something you enjoy that does not raise your stress level.
Take a break or redirect your social media and see how it feels. Just limiting your time may help you to refocus on yourself. You may even go through and shift your media focus. Remember, the idea is to get yourself to a better version of yourself, so do what makes sense for you.
Make a list of activities you used to do in the past but have stopped doing. Adding back some things you genuinely enjoy truly can reinvigorate your soul.
Slow down, take time to be mindful, and focus on your breathing. Controlled breathing is practiced in yoga and other types of exercise. Choose an activity that is healthy and relaxing.
Take a nap or get to bed early. Sleep is very healthy for you, given our fast-paced world. Unfortunately, we often don’t make enough time to rest. Try cutting back on your caffeine intake, especially after 2 p.m. You may try to have decaf or some decaffeinated teas later in the day.
Find a way to laugh at least once a day. Laughing is a healthy release of emotions and endorphins. Take time to laugh. Watch a funny movie, call a funny friend, or listen to a podcast to help you laugh off some of your stress.Â
Learn something new. Adding to your toolbox by learning a new language, skill, or craft helps to keep your mental health up, and you may stumble upon something you genuinely enjoy.
Practice gratitude intentionally by writing down a list of five things every morning or evening. Sometimes we forget that taking this bit of time will help us to remember the things we genuinely enjoy and are thankful for, even in stressful times.
Making yourself a priority will strengthen you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Some of us learned at a young age that taking time for ourselves is selfishness. Still, it has been proven through the increase in mental and physical illnesses that not taking care of ourselves first will result in catastrophic failure most of the time.
By taking time for yourself, your best version shows up in everything you are involved in, from family to work to love. Becoming the best version of yourself allows you to develop healthier relationships, especially those closest to your heart.
