Being a high-performance individual business owner or mom at home, (Moms are hard workers too!) expecting a lot from yourself is not a bad thing. Hard work is not a bad thing, especially if it results in better outcomes for you and your family.
But what is a bad thing, is overworking so hard that you neglect to look after your own health. This is why it is crucial that you learn to sometimes give yourself a break. That means taking time out to take a warm shower, or to read a good book.
In this post, we’ll explore why this is so important.
The Immediate Benefits of Taking You Time
The initial benefits of taking ‘you time’ are exactly as you would expect. Firstly, this gives you an opportunity to rejuvenate and improve your health. When we are constantly wired and on the go, it places our body into a state of arousal. This in turn means our heart rate is elevated, and that our immune systems and even digestive systems are suppressed. We are simply not designed to remain in this state indefinitely.
When you take time out to relax, you allow your body the chance to recover, while your brain will be able to sort through thoughts and ideas.
Sleeping is not enough. You need additional time out in order to relax and allow your body and mind the chance to recover. Sometimes, just a simple soak in a tub with bubbles can be helpful. Don’t forget the good book, candles and the bathroom door locked if you got kids! 😉
The Long-Term Benefits
What’s more, though, is that taking time out to do things you enjoy, will actually help you to be more effective and more productive the rest of the time.
Do you ever feel a lack of motivation and inspiration? Sometimes getting out of bed can be hard if you already know your day is going to be dull. This can lead to procrastination and poor performance at work, not to mention a lack of enjoyment in your life.
The problem is that spending all your time being productive can be a little dry. Time for yourself is important, because it allows you to do things you enjoy. This gives you something to look forward to, and an opportunity to have fun. This contrast makes it much easier to get through a dull day. Today, it’s even more important than ever before to take out some self-care time. We are the hardest on ourselves, so taking time to relax and take a break can be so very helpful!
Not only that, but most of the things we enjoy will inspire us in some way whether we find them interesting, humorous, or moving. Being reminded of those emotions can help to give us more ideas and more purpose in the rest of our lives.
Not to mention the fact that relaxing has been shown in studies to stimulate creativity!
In short, being constantly on the go and constantly productive means failing to take a step back and look at the big picture. Taking time out is important not only for your mood, but also for your ingenuity and inspiration. Some of our best ideas come when we are doing something different, take a shower and let your mind relax, you be surprised what you can dream up!
Header Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
