Making time to do something for yourself should be given top priority!

It might be going for a walk, a run, a bike ride, a swim, doing a workout at home or with a group. No matter what it is, it is so important to stay fit and healthy. For you (and in turn your loved ones). Happy mum, happy family remember!

How often do you set aside time for YOU? As a busy mum I know it isn’t always a priority and the kids/partner usually come first, but taking time out for yourself, even if it’s 10 mins a day, is SO worth it.

NOW is the time to put YOU on YOUR priority list!

If I had a $1 for every time I heard any of these comments from women, I would be pretty rich!

• I just wish I had more time to myself, just 5 minutes
• I’m so busy, I don’t know if I’m coming or going
• I wish I had more hours in the day
• Sorry, I don’t have time to…

I understand that we all lead crazy, busy lives – I am one of them. I have 4 kids, run 2 businesses and study full time. So yes, I am busy. BUT I still make time for myself. I can’t image how crazy I would be if I didn’t!

I know that you would find time for your kids, your partner, your family and friends, but what about YOU? Sometimes finding just 5 minutes can be a struggle, but when you stop and think about it, I am sure you can find 15-30 minutes to yourself every day, to do something for you.

Put yourself first, just for a few minutes.

If everyone around you is worthy of care and attention, then SO ARE YOU! You deserve some ‘ME TIME”, you NEED it for your own sanity. If you don’t give yourself time it can lead to feelings of frustration, feeling tired, rundown, overwhelmed and just out of wack. If you don’t get enough time to yourself, you can lose sight of what is important to you and things you want to achieve.

I know, that you know, when you do find time for yourself to do things that you enjoy, when you relax and distress, that you are happier, you feel better, you are more calm, relate better to your kids/partner, that you bounce back feeling more energised. So why not do it every day?

A couple of things come to mind as to why you may not want to have some ‘Me Time’ and I know that I feel at least 2 of these most days:

• You feel guilty
• You feel selfish
• Not enough time

Let’s touch on these a bit more:

Feeling guilty

You should definitely not feel guilty about making time for yourself. It has taken me quite a while to realise that it is OK to have me time. What I have also learnt is that because I am making more time for myself (or even just adult time – kids free time), it makes me a better mum and partner, a more relaxed mum, a calmer mum, the fun mum I want to be!  ‘Me Time’ is not something you should feel guilty about – there is nothing wrong with taking some time out for yourself, doing something you enjoy. It will give you the opportunity to relax, refocus and recharge.

Feeling selfish

This is an odd feeling sometimes, and may seem very similar to guilt really.  I often think, why should I feel selfish if I do things for myself. But what it actually comes down to for me is that other people might think I am a selfish person for doing something for myself, rather than spending it with my kids or family. But then I remember that I will be a better mum/partner if I do something for myself, to make myself happier.

Because when I am happier, I am a better mum to my kids. Simple! It comes down to changing your mindset!

Not enough time

I hear this everyday from friends, clients and mums – there are never enough hours in the day. There are 24 in the day, and they can go pretty quick most days! So what can you do about it?

Here are a few things you can do to make ‘ME TIME’ real:

1. Decide you deserve some ME TIME each day. Get rid of the guilt and realise it’s best if you do have some time and it will end up being a WIN WIN for everyone! You aren’t being selfish, you are doing some self-care!
2. Decide how you are going to spend your ME TIME. For me, I enjoy exercise. It might be a walk, a run, doing some weights or a Fit & Fab Mummy Workout. I also enjoy reading or just watching one of my favourite shows. I enjoy going out for meals and catching up with people. If I am feeling really indulgent I would go and get a massage or a pedicure. Or even go to my favourite cafe and have a smoothie and do some work! You need to decide the things that are important to you and what makes YOU feel good, rejuvenated, relaxed and happy. Start planning in your day when you can do those things and make it happen.
3. Go through your day and find where you are wasting time each day. The Internet, Facebook, emails etc is the worst culprit here! Do you end up spending way more time on your computer that you had planned? Do you do the grocery shopping daily, rather than every few days or even weekly? The more organised you become in planning your day or week, the easier it will be to plan in some time for YOU!
4. If you are one of those people that says YES all the time, it might be time to learn to say No every now and then, especially if they are things you don’t really want to do, they don’t give you satisfaction or make you happy.
5. This is a tough one for me as well, but asking for help. It might be from friends or family, your partner or your kids. You don’t have to do EVERYTHING!
6. Make a commitment to yourself to set aside at least 15-20 mins of ME TIME each day. It might be getting up earlier in the morning to do a workout just for you, or going to bed earlier and reading a book, or just have a warm shower at the end of the day and be alone with your thoughts!
7. Make time in your busy schedule, like you would any other appointment for ME TIME. Make it non-negotiable.

I know, that once you start scheduling in some ME TIME, you will feel happier and more relaxed. You will find you are a better mum, partner and friend. ME TIME will make a huge difference to your health, your mind and your happiness!

What do you do for ‘me time’? Please share in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com