Time-outs aren’t just for kids. We all need to relax in order to refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits. Yet many people don’t take time out for themselves because they feel like they’d be disappointing someone else, like their boss, spouse, family, or friends. Many people struggle with the constant need to please others, and as a result, they neglect to take care of themselves. But people who don’t take care of themselves lead very unbalanced lives. Many people ignore their own needs because they feel guilty or selfish about doing anything for themselves. But how long can you continue to take care of someone else without taking care of yourself? Imagine a woman who stands on a street corner on a hot, summer day holding a jug of cold water. She pours drinks for every pedestrian who walks by and, of course, everyone is grateful. But what happens when she’s thirsty and goes to get a drink? After a long day of helping everyone else and neglecting herself, the jug is now empty. How often do you feel like this woman? How often do you run out of time for yourself because you’ve spent all of it taking care of other people? Helping others is a good thing to do as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of sacrificing your own health. You need to take care of yourself, and that doesn’t mean you’re selfish.
Here are some simple ideas you can use to take time out for yourself:
· Treat yourself as kindly as you treat other people. Do one nice thing for yourself that you’ve been putting off.
· Take time to devote to yourself, even if it’s just a few hours during the week, by doing things like taking a walk or preparing your favourite meal.
· Or if you’re feeling really brave, take a half-day off from work. Go someplace beautiful, like a park, the ocean, a lake, the mountains, a museum, or even someplace like a shopping centre.
· Take time to do things for your own life, like shopping, errands, doctor’s appointments, and so on.
