The Time is Now. Take Care of YOU!
Posted on April 04, 2023 by Tara Lehman, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
You have likely heard the phrase, “the time is now”.
The Time is Now. Take Care of YOU!
You have likely heard the phrase, “the time is now”. When it comes to taking care of ourselves to help avoid stress and burnout in life, at work, or with our businesses, the time is now.
Right now. It’s time to put yourself first again and this time stick to it. Why? Because living with chronic stress, burnout, bad health, or just plain not taking care of ourselves is not going to do us any favours. I used to work extremely long hours with very little break time, after a 45 minutes drive to work, then all the way home again at the end of the long day. And that was when there was no bad snowy weather (being in Canada we do get bad wintery weather at times…not often, but it does happen). It is difficult to put yourself first when all you do is work, or other life stresses are pulling on you so hard you don’t see how. How did I overcome some of the stresses? Here are a couple of tricks.
First and foremost take a mid day break to eat and refresh. This is not a quick trip to the washroom shoving a banana in your face and running back to your office to catch that next call. No. This is scheduling your lunch (working in different time zones I am not a stranger to the idea that meetings may be on our lunch time). When scheduling your lunch it needs to be for 20-30 minutes of UNPLUGGED time. Your read that right – UNPLUGGED. Your mind and body need a break from the computer screen, incessant texting, or whatever other distractions you get from screens. Then once you have unplugged, get away to an area where work, children (always get a sitter!), or other distractions are not with you, so won’t be interrupted during this down time. If it means going for a walk outside, which is fabulous for your mind and body, then go. If it means going out for the occasional lunch by yourself and it fits your finances, then why not? Take a mid day break from all things that stress you out. Even as a busy mom or dad, if you can find someone to watch the children for a bit each day, then you can read, relax or take your own nap (I certainly did) during nap times. Where there is a will, there is always a safe and happy way.
Next, find something you love to do and get back at it. I used to love to read, but I never felt I had time, so I made time at least on the weekends to read. Sometimes it is a fun novel and other times it is a self care book, but my love to read is back and is also encouraging me to write again too. Little known fact about me is that I have written a sort of love story novel. Nope it is not published, but my goal was to write it and so I did. I would say it is in one of the final draft stages if it was to be published, but reading got me back into writing. Perhaps one day I will publish it, but for now, I was able to accomplish something on my bucket list by taking time for me.
Here’s a big one…time for yourself. How do you do it? It is simple. Plan it and write it down in your day planner, on your schedule, in your app, on the fridge, or wherever you put all your other meetings or appointments. When you do put it on the schedule you must promise yourself not to move it. Exercise is a big one we hear a lot of clients saying they can’t fit into their schedule. Well, if you have time to play on your phone or check social media, you have time to exercise. Block time off and don’t make an excuse to cancel it. It’s an appointment with yourself accountable to you. Consider it as important as that big meeting with the CEO or your doctor’s appointments. Even if for only a few minutes at a time, do what you can. I now hop on the tread mill for 10 minutes at lunch almost every day. Days I can’t do lunch, I plan or work it in another way. I pace in my home while on the phone or go outside for a walk.
At Twin Life Coaching & Business Services we are so passionate about the idea that we all need to take care of ourselves, which is why we are coaches. We want to help empower our clients to take control and fulfill their dreams and goals and always having time for themselves.
Now book some time off with yourself and TAKE CARE OF YOU!
Need help? Please reach out to me anytime via our website by clicking “Book With Tara”.
April 2023
Written by Tara Lehman
And to clarify…
For safety reasons, never leave children unattended. Who can help you watch them?
Also, when changing any diet or exercise plan, consult with your medical practitioner first.
