The Importance of Making Time for Yourself

Why is it so important to make time for yourself? Because you need a chance to recharge. Are you thinking to yourself that you recharge when you're sleeping? That is true; you are recharging your body when you sleep. But what about your soul? It needs to be nourished, too. You nourish it by doing things that make you feel alive and happy.

Think about it for a moment. Have you ever gotten out of bed after a long night's sleep only to still feel tired and unexcited about the prospects for the day? That is your soul telling you it's running on empty. Do you let your car's gas tank go completely empty? Hopefully not. And you shouldn't run on empty, either. It's just not healthy. You end up feeling stressed and unhappy.

Reasons to make time for yourself include feeling relaxed, calmer, and more energized. It helps you clear your mind so you can be more open to thinking about improvements that can be made in your life. You get distance from any problems or worries and are able to plan how to deal with them. You have breathing space to reflect on your life, the good as well as the not-so-good. This often opens your mind up to new ideas.

So, what do you do to nourish your soul? Take some time for yourself. Unplug and unwind. Do something that makes you feel free and light. Think about your interests and hobbies. Allow yourself to decompress from responsibilities and worries.

What you do with this time is up to you. It's personal. What makes you happy? It could be little things, like taking a bubble bath by candlelight or curling up with a blanket in a comfy spot to read a good book. But sometimes you need more.

It could mean spending the day (or even a weekend) in nature hiking or camping. Ever heard of forest bathing? This Japanese practice is a process of relaxation known in Japan as shinrin yoku. The simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, and observing nature around you while breathing deeply can help you de-stress and boost health and wellbeing in a natural way.

Maybe you would prefer a long drive through the countryside and a picnic on a blanket. When was the last time you had a picnic on a blanket? I know it's been a while for me. Or find a park with picnic tables. Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine has definite restorative qualities.

We are now going into Fall, and doing some leaf peeping would be a great idea as the leaves turn all their glorious colors. Even in Winter, get out and enjoy the winter wonderland, viewing the ice on trees, icicles on houses, and observing the lack of sound with only the crunch of the snow under your feet.

Not an outdoorsy kind of person? Go window shopping or buy yourself a few small luxury items (or more, if money allows). Explore your creativity. Take a painting or pottery class. Visit antique shops. Travel to a new town and explore it. Try out a new restaurant. Visit a museum or art gallery. I personally love the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. I leave there feeling so energized by being able to see so many amazing things from around the world.

There are millions of things you can do to fill your tank. Think of things that excite you. Those are the things to do. Your next question is probably going to be, "Where do I find the time?" and that's a great question. You need to make the time. You can't drink from an empty cup!

Learn to say no to some things. For starters, you are not responsible for everyone else's happiness. You are responsible for your own, though. It may be hard at first, but it gets easier with practice. Before taking on any new responsibilities, carefully think about how they would impact you.

Schedule in time to do the things you love. You could get up earlier and sip some tea while reading a chapter of your favorite novel. Or you could take a drive after work or visit the park on your way home. If you have children, relax with a luxurious bath bomb in a warm tub of water after they go to bed. Decide ahead of time a day on the weekend when you will do something for yourself. I try to do one thing a weekend that fills my tank for the following week.

Some other ideas include doing yoga, journaling (see my article on journaling), or meditation. Listen to music, or if you are musically inclined, make some music. Whatever you choose, be sure it makes you happy.

Do you need to go it alone? That is up to you. There is something to be said about alone time. You can have the space to sort out your thoughts and feelings. You should be able to be happy with yourself being alone at least once in a while. I love alone time! I also love doing things with my husband, so we often get some quality time in by doing something enjoyable on the weekends.

Do you have a favorite activity that nourishes your soul? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments. Let's share ideas with each other!