The hustle and bustle of everyday life can leave us feeling tired, stressed, and worn out. With work, social activities, and chores, it can be difficult to find time for yourself, and the potential to burnout can be quite real. The busier our lives get, the more our “me time” gets shortened.
The good news is, there are several ways to carve out more time for yourself with just a few adjustments to your schedule. The benefits of giving yourself some time to decompress far outweigh the negatives that it takes to make it possible.
How to Make More Time for Yourself
Consider eliminating tasks that aren’t necessary or that don’t benefit your life in a positive way. Are you watching too much television or scrolling through social media too often? Try to cut back on that. Are you finding yourself always saying “yes” when someone asks for help? Don’t feel guilty about having to say “no” from time to time. Your health and well-being far surpass any help someone could need, and your friends and family will likely agree. Keep in mind, if you’re not taking care of yourself, it can be difficult to take care of others.
Extra time for yourself should consist of at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted time each day. This gives the body and mind a proper amount of time to rest and decompress. If you’re having a hard time carving out thirty minutes each day, put a reminder on your phone’s calendar to help you enforce this new schedule. Ask family and friends to help hold you accountable. Remember, they want to see the best version of you, even if it means leaving you alone for a little while.
The Benefits of Making More Time for Yourself
Not only does “me time” help relieve stress and anxiety, but it can also prevent a whole host of physical and psychological problems. Heart disease, depression, anxiety, obesity, migraines, recurrent bouts of colds and flu, and stomach upset have all been linked to busy lifestyles.
Giving yourself some extra time to relax and decompress can potentially add months or years to your life. The benefits of making more time for yourself are immense. Be sure to make yourself a priority each and every day.