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One of the things I’ve definitely got better at over the last year or two is looking after myself. I don’t for one minute pretend that I have this down perfectly, BUT I’m getting better at putting myself first and looking after myself. I thought I’d share some simple things that have helped me to carve out that time for myself, in an otherwise busy life.
Find a fitness activity you enjoy
There is some form of fitness activity out there for everyone. It doesn’t have to be a heavy gym session or a marathon training plan. Find something that you enjoy. There are plenty of online video workouts, ranging from HIIT to yoga. Arrange a walk with friends or download a podcast, pop your headphones in and head for a brisk walk.
Getting up and active has lots of benefits, and keeping track of your fitness is a really good way to stay motivated. I’ve been using a fitness tracker for a while now. Initially, I had a basic GPS watch to track my distance when I was running, but last year I upgraded to a Garmin Vivoactive which is more of an all-round fitness watch. It tracks my steps and sleep patterns (and a whole range of other things) and I can start to see the effects of being less active on my general wellbeing. There’s a lot of different watches and trackers out there, but this site helps you to find the best fitness trackers for you.
Indulge a hobby
I read a great article last week about how women generally feel guilty for investing time in reading fiction. And I know I can often feel bad if I sit and pass the time reading or doing something else. I like to cross-stitch or experiment with different crafts, and often I will push this sort of thing down my to-do list; feeling like I can’t sit and do that when there are so many other things that need doing.
However, this year I’m making a conscious effort to complete a few cross stitch projects. I treated myself to a magazine subscription (it was a crazy cheap deal before Christmas) and I’ve got a deadline for something I want to complete for E’s birthday. I’ve also chosen to commit to a few fiction blog tours, thus giving me a reason to read (it’s for ‘work’) and I’m keeping a log of my finished books on my book Instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Sr8yPFXZ8/
Make time with Friends
Making time with friends is always good for the soul. Accept the invitation for a coffee out or a quick catch up (without the children!) Laughter and fun is good for the soul and lifts your spirits and, invariably, leaves you feeling energised. Try something new; maybe create a crafting club or a book club, explore a new walking route together or simply make a commitment to go for a bite to eat on the first Thursday of the month!
Arrange childcare if needed to help ensure you get those opportunities with friends. You could use a site such as Toddle which helps to locate local childcare services – one-off care or more formal and regular arrangements. Having that time for you is important and if you’ve not got people around who you can rely on to take over with the children then childcare can be the perfect solution.
It can be hard to carve out that time for yourself sometimes, but in doing so there are huge rewards.
