Time for ourselves

I do not usually make New Year resolutions.   But this year I aim to make more time for myself.   At first glance this might seem like a rather selfish statement – but is it?   After all, we spend much of our time satisfying the needs and expectations of other people.   Therefore we are surely entitled to some ‘me time’.

Taking time for ourselves is NOT self-centred or self-indulgent.   It is important for our mental well-being.   It lowers stress and anxiety.   It helps to keep our lives in balance.

Our busy world often makes great demands upon us.   We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life.   Then it is all too easy to neglect our own needs, to the detriment of our mental well-being.

In common with other people of my age (mid-60s), I grew up in a society that had little time for this idea.   That is understandable.   After all, my grandparents had endured the horrors of the Second World War.   My parents had then grown up in the drabness and austerity of the post-war years.   Therefore needing time to oneself was an alien concept.   The result of this is a whole generation of people who now find it uncomfortable to take time out for themselves.

Consider the plight of an unpaid carer, as so many people are nowadays, for one reason or another.   The disability or illness of a loved one completely dominates their lives.   If the carer sits down to rest or read a book for even just five minutes, they feel guilty.   The result is that the carers mental well-being suffers terribly.

Finding the right balance between meeting our own needs and those of others can be difficult.   Yet taking even just a short period out of our day can be beneficial.   For example, we might read a book, go for a walk, or have a long soak in a hot bath.

I used to volunteer at the Physic Garden in Petersfield in Hampshire.   It is quite common for workers to take their lunch break in the garden.   They leave their workplace for a short while, to enjoy this delightful, tranquil setting.

Meditation can be a valuable aid to our mental well-being.   There still appears to be a myth that meditation is somehow difficult – that you have to sit cross-legged for hours for it to do any good.   This is nonsense.   Meditation can be learnt by virtually anyone.   There are also many online resources or books to guide you.   Even just ten minutes of meditation a day can be very beneficial.

Mindfulness can also be very good for our mental health.   This practice makes us more aware of the moment we are living in.   It allows us to be more in tune with our own thoughts and feelings.   We become more aware of the world around us.   Mindfulness has become increasingly popular in recent years, so there are many resources available.

I practice my own version of mindfulness when I do some sketching.   Armed with pencils, pens, and watercolours, I draw or paint in the countryside.   In the process I become more aware of nature.   It is also a very absorbing and relaxing hobby.

Perhaps you, too, can make more time for yourself this year?   Believe me, you will not regret it if you do.