We constantly make time for both friends and family. But when was the last time we made time for ourselves to relax?
‘Me-time’ is important for our day-to-day functioning. “You need ‘self-care’ to function at your best,” says psychologist Dr Jessamy Hibberd.
ALSO SEE: Why self-care is an important wellness trend
Self-care can mean going for a walk, meeting a friend or staying in bed; whatever you need to reboot. The key is little and often.
Downtime gives us time to process unresolved tensions and to gain perspective. But most of us are too busy to nip off to a spa every weekend.
Don’t fret though – it is possible to wind down, even if you only have limited time. Here’s how…
How to relax in one minute
If you have one minute to spare waiting at the dentist’s office or between work calls, put your phone on airplane mode and recharge with a hand massage.
Stash a tube of your favourite lotion in your handbag and grab a moment whenever you can.
First, rub a few drops into your hand to soften the skin. Use your thumb to work into the fleshy heel of your hand, palm side up, then flip your hand over and work into the web of tendons between your thumb and fingers, moving gently up and down to release tension.
A hand massage is a really good stress-buster for anyone who taps away on a keyboard all day, but it’s also the perfect me-time hack if you’re standing in a queue.
ALSO SEE: Natural remedies for insomnia
How to relax in 10 minutes
For a relaxing break, eat a square of dark chocolate with a cup of hot tea – and don’t do anything else.
Focus on the taste, texture and smell, relishing the experience – and no multi-tasking! If you really must do something, write a list of the experiences, relationships and emotions you are grateful for.
How to relax in 20 minutes
Make a ‘happy times’ photo album. Try to think about what happened outside the frame, before and after the photograph was taken – research shows that this gives the most uplifting effect.
Then share the album with the family and friends you were with. This will spark an opportunity to reminisce and boost the bond that already exists between you.
How to relax in one hour
Block out an hour before bed to create a wind-down routine. Log out from social media, have a bath, listen to music or read
“I write a list of the good things that have happened,” says Dr Hibberd. “It reminds you of what you have and helps you appreciate your life instead of worrying about what you don’t have or haven’t achieved.”
How to relax in an afternoon
If you’re thinking you’ll use your free afternoon to clear that email backlog – stop! See a friend instead; it will be better for your health and happiness.
Don’t want company? Go somewhere green – and take your shoes off. Yes, really. There’s nothing like walking barefoot on the grass to put a spring in your step.
Alternatively, to still a racing mind take a trip to the cinema. “It’s virtually impossible to do anything else at the same time; you can properly switch off and become absorbed in the film,” Dr Hibberd says.
How to relax in a day
Block this time out in your diary and tell work and family that you’ll be out of reach except for emergencies. That way – hopefully – they’ll think twice before disturbing you.
- Words: Sharon Walker
