Enjoying More “You Time” Equals Better Balance

If you ask any mother what her biggest struggle is in life she’ll probably say something along the lines of finding balance. As women who are natural nurtures and caretakers, they often struggle with loving and supporting their children, managing their relationships (familial and romantic), maintaining their career, and… not losing themselves. The strong desire to be there for everyone else often leaves them with very little time or energy to be there for themselves.

Unfortunately, this can lead to a multitude of problems. Women have been known to struggle with stress, burnout, anxiety, and even depression as a result of giving too much to others and not enough to themselves. The secret to avoiding this is realizing that you need to keep yourself first and finding personal time to dedicate to you – “you time”.

What is “You Time”?

Time for yourself? That probably sounds impossible. However, that’s exactly what “you time” is. It is a time where you focus solely on yourself and your own wants and needs. A period throughout the day, week, or month that you remove yourself from all distractions and do things that help you to relax, rediscover, love, and support the woman that you are.

How to Enjoy “You Time”?

It may seem foreign to a lot of women to make time in her schedule for herself that doesn’t in any way involve their loved ones, but it’s possible to do. Here are some ideal ways you might enjoy a little more “you time”.

• Try yoga – exercise has always been recommended. Not simply because it can help you stay in shape, but because regular physical activity helps to boost your confidence and improve your mood. Yoga is unique in that it combines physical and mental exercise. You learn various stretches and poses while also learning the art of meditation. You can join a local class and it doesn’t take much to get started. All you need are some yoga toe socks, yoga pants, a decent sports bra, tank top, and a water bottle and you’re ready to go.

• Take a trip – periodically traveling on your own can help you discover a whole new side of yourself. Find a weekend in your schedule that you can dedicate to yourself and plan a trip. You don’t have to go far or spend a lot of money, just go somewhere you’ve never been and line up some things to do that you’ve always wanted to try.

• Take a bath – once you’ve tucked the kids in for the night, you have some time to yourself. Draw a nice soothing bath and soak for a while. Get your favorite bubble bath scent, light some candles, turn on soft music, and grab a good book and just tune into you.

• Go to the movies – you know those chick flicks your children are too young to see and your husband is too macho to sit through? Go catch a movie on your own.

• Go shopping (with a budget) – when is the last time you went shopping and bought something nice for yourself? Pick a day and head to the mall and get a new shirt, dress, outfit, accessory, or purse (whatever your budget can afford).

You do so much for the people you care about (as you should), but you can’t forget the most important person of all – you. Many women end up dealing with long-term stress, anxiety, and depression, simply because they stopped investing in their own wants and needs. You’ll be surprised to learn that just an hour, a day, or a weekend to yourself can result in balance throughout your entire life.