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Taking time for yourself is vital for mental health and well-being.
You may feel that you don’t have enough quality time for your family orsolitary activities.
The trouble is that not having time for those things can leave you feeling stressed and unhappy.
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Consider delegating tasks, declining requests for your time, taking mini-breaks, and planning your downtime.
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Having enough time for leisure activities,time alone, and simple do-nothing time is vital for maintaining balance.
In other words, the more stressed you are, the more you need that downtime.
Or you might be wasting time in ways that you don’t actually enjoy without realizing it.
Dropping some of these time-wasters can yield you some extra time that can be used in better ways.
Some possible ways to delegate include:
Allowing someone else to take over a task can bring added benefits.
They may also enjoy the feeling of helping out.
At the very least, it could bring a sense of teamwork.
Think also about your motivations for possibly saying “yes.”
When you knowhow to say nowithout inviting unnecessary scrutiny or sparking hard feelings, it becomes even easier.
Decline requests may bring some fallout, but it’s often worth it.Saying nobecomes much easier with practice.
In fact, it is important to take small breaks periodically to recharge and refresh.
Goldman also suggests considering what are known as micro-practices.
For example, while washing your hands or cooking, take some deep breaths," she explains.
Rachel Goldman, PhD
These micro-practices and small breaks really start to add up.
It’s about finding those pockets of time throughout the day for you.
Finding Balance Is Key
Carving out time for yourself in a busy world can be a challenge.
However, it is essential for your sense of balance and mental well-being.
Finding time for yourself can be looked at as a form of preventative care, Goldman notes.
“We want to make this part of our lifestyle so we don’t getburnt out.
The key is to prioritize your downtime.
Instead, intentionally set aside some time each week to do the things that you want to do.
Pruchno R, ed.The Gerontologist.
2022;23(6):2427-2448. doi:10.1007/s10902-022-00505-6
