Me Time!

I have come to the realization that 9 times out of 10 when we make our laundry list of to dos, there is rarely anything for yourself. Why do we do this to ourselves? We tend to consume ourselves with endless list of family, friends, work, religion, and education duties. Taking care of yourself is a crucial part of living a full life. When you take care of yourself, it will naturally have a positive effect on everything else- your partner, children, coworkers, mood, ect. It can be as simple as riding your bike through the park, playing golf, reading a book, or taking a yoga class; here are a few tips to help carve time for yourself. ​Schedule it -We schedule everything from conference calls to doctor appointments, so why not pencil in and schedule your me time. Send yourself a calendar invite as a reminder and to hold yourself accountable to the date and time. ​Take 5- Five minutes may be all you have, so Take it! Relax, take a walk outside, or sit quietly to yourself. This is your time to recharge throughout the day. ​Wake up Early- Try waking up 30 minutes earlier than you normally wood. Wake up before the kids wake up, before your partner arise with orders, before you normally would start. This is time for yourself to maybe write in your journal, make your cup of tea, sit on the balcony as the sun rises as it brings you peace for the day. ​Say No- It is always great to help out family and friends, but you have to learn how to create a buffer when it cuts into your "me time." Trust me they will understand ​Emails- in today's world most working professionals spend our time all day on ipads, iphones checking emails and voicemails all day. This means you never technically checkout of work mode. Do this, try setting alarms for 4 times out the day that are designated for checking and responding to emails. ​Remember why it is important- We naturally feel guilty when we take time and focus on ourselves. We feel that being the best friend, wife, or mom means always putting them first at all times. Just remember that taking care of yourself is vital for keeping yourself healthy. A healthy you mean a happier family and more productive work.