Finding time for yourself is essential for a happy life. Yes, it is important to be ambitious, but so is finding time for family and friends and helping others out. However, it’s necessary to take a break and give yourself some love from time to time. This way, you will have enough resources for everything else that you may strive to achieve. Look at that as a time to refill and charge your batteries. You can’t use your phone when its battery is empty, right? It’s the same with you. You can indulge in your favorite activities to relax, be it taking a spa break, going on a vacation, or just seeing a few friends on the weekend. There are unlimited options that you can explore. So, here are 6 reasons why you should schedule time for yourself now:
1. You Love You!
If you’ve ever flown in an airplane, you know that before take-off during the safety demonstration, the Flight Attendants remind you to put your oxygen mask on first, before helping the person next to you. The same goes for everyday life! You have to help yourself before you help others, which means unconditional, self-love, all the time.
2. You Have Hobbies to Enjoy
There’s something so exciting about scheduling into your planner that badminton class you’ve been thinking about all month that makes you feel giddy all over! Spending time doing hobbies; whether it’s working in the garden, sitting in the sun, reading a book, taking a class…whatever it might be you own it, and savor the time, for yourself. Finding something that makes you feel good and passes the time in an entertaining and/or soothing way is essential in a world where everything goes by so fast.
3. Exercise Is a Habit
When you get into shape, when you start enjoying exercising, it becomes a habit that if you don’t schedule the time to do it, you feel like you’re missing something. The feeling of doing something good for your body and for your mental health is amazing.
4. Slowing…Things…Down
Between work, friends, family, your iPhone, and your relationship, you’re always on the go! Scheduling time for yourself includes locking your phone in your sock drawer, unplugging and putting away your laptop/iPad, and actually listening to the sounds of the birds chirping in the distance. Or, it can be going for a walk along a new path. Or just doing something that makes you happy, away from your electronics. Sometimes, there’s a need to just be by yourself, in more of a present, peaceful way.
5. Prioritize Time to Set Goals
You know it’s easy to get carried away with life. Often you say to yourself, “Where has the time gone?!” You think back to the days of your early 20’s and say, “That feels like yesterday”. You know that setting goals in all areas of your life helps you succeed and that taking the time to visualize and plan where you want to be in 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years is the key to your success.
6. Peace and Quiet
That’s right. Studies show that even today, women work as long as men and have more responsibilities around the home than men do. So, scheduling solitude for the tranquillity that comes with quiet time helps you hone your creative skills, unwind, and find more pleasure in the present moment (which research says really does make people happier. If you want to find out more about mindfulness and the great benefits of focusing on the present moment, read our article: “6 Reasons Why Integrating Mindfulness Into Your Life Is Helpful”.
And remember…
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.
