No matter how busy or challenging is your life, take 30 minutes each day, to exercise or meditate. That is the advice the members of GroYourBiz™ Windsor Chapter want to give to you.
At our meeting this week, we talked about the “busy-ness” of working, taking care of the household, parenting, organizing activities, and so on. While we love what we do, life can, at times, become overwhelming.
What do we do about it?
Take 30 minutes out of your day for you. Do something that will take your mind off of your work, like yoga, exercise, meditation or gardening; whatever you choose, try to make sure that it gives you an opportunity for mindfulness. According to psychology today, “mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.”
With assignment deadlines, clients to pursue, social media to monitor, getting the children to their next activity, preparing a meal, and all of the other day to day requirements, you can feel weighed down and it can appear like there is no time to fit in 30 minutes do something for you.
To the contrary; if you take that time for you, there are many benefits. Greater focus, increased capacity to cope with stressful events, less preoccupation with worry, improved self-esteem, strengthened relationships and more ability to enjoy the pleasures of each moment as they occur. (helpguide.org)
I know this works. In my youth, I was competitive in track & field, so I was used to a daily routine of training. No matter how many school assignments were due or other work that I had to complete, I spent at least 2 hours each day on the track. It was a time to focus on nothing else but running.
I carried this practice into my adulthood. After our first child was born, I would power walk daily. It was a small part of the day that I would take for me; it was something that I like to do. If you have read any of my other posts, you will know that our second child was born with multiple disabilities and did not sleep very much. Even if I had only 3 hours of sleep, I would still make sure that I took a walk or a jog, to clear my mind and give my body a chance to loosen up. I remember an in home support person saying to me, “I think it would be better to take a nap, you need your rest” and I explained that, “by exercising, I relieve stress and it actually gives me energy.” Call it a runner’s high, call it what you will, exercise helped me cope with some very difficult times; it was my respite.
I have recently discovered the benefits of mindful meditation. When I am feeling swamped and engulfed with work, I take 20 minutes to sit quietly and focus on my breathing. I instantly feel like I can face the day with more focus and positivity.
Without a doubt, finding that 30 minutes for you can seem like an impossible feat. In addition, women tend to feel guilty if they place themselves as a priority over family or work. However, if you feel good, you are in control of your life, the more you can give to yourself and to others.
This is one of the lessons that I have learned along the way that I wanted to pass along to you.
Taking 30 minutes for YOU is not a selfish act; it’s quite the opposite. If you don’t think you can afford the time, ask yourself this question, “Can I afford not to?”
~ Lisa
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