Optimizing your time for wellbeing

When I ask people how their week has been I often hear the reply ‘Busy”.

With pressures to work and cost of living, many people do not feel they have much free time for themselves.

I have some weeks where I can manage a little more time than others but I double up on certain activities to enhance them.

When I do a weekly face mask on a Sunday I will lay down and do a guided Yoga Nidra for 20 minutes so I feel calm and relaxed as well as feeling my skin is getting some TLC.

I may sometimes go for a walk and just listen to the sound of nature such as birds, but I may also listen to a podcast related to a subject I am interested in such as” Let’s Talk Yoga’.

When I am getting ready in the mornings sometimes I will listen to Positive affirmations while I am doing my make up.

In this way, when I am short of time I still feel I am focusing on taking care of myself. I need to create an income to sustain myself and my loved ones, but I also need to take care of my body, mind and soul while doing so.

If we are so busy working and not doing anything to look after ourselves we can quickly become run down. When our body has not had enough time in a parasympathetic state- the state of rest and digestion compared to the sympathetic flight or flight, our immune systems decline and we are more likely to succumb to viruses. I learned this the hard way- feeling like I could never take a day off or say no because I was afraid of disappointing people.

It is important to take focused time off for yourself to restore your energy levels so you can be the best version of yourself.

However on busy days, try finding some small pockets of time where you can focus on yourself. 

Are there any activities you can either reduce or pair with something that nourishes you?

I hope this week you will find some time for you.