Many of us are guilty of trying to fit too much into one day, and some of the people who most often fall into this trap are stay at home or work at home moms.
No matter how many times other people might tell them that they’re doing a really important job by being there for their children in those early years, some mums can’t shake the feeling that they are more privileged than those who have to go out to work. In order to assuage their ‘guilt’ for being able to stay home, they often end up doing too much.
And while they may feel ‘better’ if they push themselves to fill every spare minute in a useful way, what actually often happens is that they end up feeling run ragged by the end of the day and sometimes too tired to approach individual tasks with any enthusiasm.
It’s amazing, though, what a few minutes’ downtime spaced out at intervals throughout the day can do, both for your productivity and energy levels.
So, what can you do for five minutes that will help you unwind? Here are just a few suggestions:
Play!
We live in a time where we can all play a game whenever we feel like it — all you need to do is find a game online or open a gaming app on your phone. Whether you’re into playing bingo at an online site such as Costa or Instant Bingo or you want to test your word power with a game like Word Feud or Words with Friends there are thousands of games that you can play for a few minutes at a time. On sites like www.costabingo.com you can even socialise with other players while you play a game of bingo; and this can be a great option for people who are at home all day and feel a little isolated.
Get a change of scene
When you’re in the same space all day, cabin fever can quickly set in. We sometimes feel there isn’t time for a walk or to eat our lunch away from our desks, but that’s just a state of mind. Take yourself outside for five minutes — even if you only walk around the block, you’ll still feel refreshed and revived for having moved off the spot.
Do something self-indulgent
Many women are guilty of putting themselves at the bottom of their priority list. They take care of the kids, their work, the house, their partners and run out of time to do anything for themselves. You don’t need to book an hour’s massage or facial to indulge yourself with a little me-time. Take time out to file your nails and give your hands a massage with a hand-cream. You can do this anytime — and though it’s hardly pushing the boat out in terms of self-indulgence — you’ll feel better for doing it.
Just a few ideas to get you started on how to take time out now and then during the day. Take five minutes right now to give one of these suggestions a try!
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
As I started to work as a movement therapist later in life, it helped me to accept the limitations of my body but also to discover new possibilities, both physically and mentally. I now see myself as a whole rather than a sum of body parts connected to a brain!
What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate?
It’s like I just said, instead of focusing on the small body parts I don’t like — my ankles for example — I have learnt that they’re wonderful instruments which make me walk! I am more flexible: Instead of thinking “I can never do that”, now I think “I’m not ready yet”. It helps immensely.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What makes YOU most proud? What goals and dreams do you still have?
It might sound silly but I learned to swim! I was always afraid of water after a bad childhood experience. After I found a wonderful swimming teacher, I could let me fears go and enjoy the water for the first time! I have so many goals and dreams…. but they are always evolving. The next goal is to take a course on homeopathy.
We all have imperfections, so we think. The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
Oh, too many to tell! The biggest may be procrastination and poor decision making… That’s why playing games like poker is a good thing for me, as you have to make quick decisions!
“I Love My…” is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!)
Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?
I Love My baking! I love putting a smile on my children’s faces when they come back from school and smell the chocolate cake which just came out of the oven.
