Here are some simple ways to help you take more ‘defined’ time for yourself.

Take pause and check in with yourself

When you’re getting your to-do list all ticked off, you may often find yourself feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. But experts say that, if you try to pause and check in with yourself every now and then, you might be able to find greater balance in your life.  

According to resilience training specialist Dr. Sven Hansen “Rest is different for everyone, and the art of a good life is to find out what you need.” If you can pause as you move between activities and check in on what your mind and body may need, you can gain some insight into your state of well-being and help improve it.

Check in on your daily habits

Your daily habits can affect your overall quality of life. Checking in on how you’re eating, sleeping, working on your fitness, and managing stress are some important ways to make the most of your downtime. Here are some expert tips to help you plan ahead and reap the benefits that small changes can bring.

Make the most of the little time windows 

Dr. Jo Mitchell, a psychologist, says that many people underestimate how much rest they need, so making the most of the little time windows matters.  

“We need sleep, and we also need the rest for the brain that comes from being in nature, getting out moving our body, listening to music or letting our mind wander aimlessly,” says Mitchell, adding that spending even five minutes away from the computer, or listening to music or a podcast on your way home, can really help you unwind and de-stress. 

Positive relationships

Keeping strong, positive relationships can also help you improve your overall wellbeing, experts say. 

According to the Government Health and Safety’s guide to maintaining health and wellness, research has strongly linked “our physical health, mental health, social connectedness, family health, and our sense of fulfilment and ability to live life in a way that feels meaningful.” In particular, life can get easier and more manageable if we are:

• Making time for family and close relationships
• Keeping communication open and healthy 
• Planning rewarding activities together
• Working together to reduce each other’s overwhelm and find solutions.

Finding balance in life

Finding balance can also mean finding the appropriate amount of time to take care of your responsibilities, and your needs. That’s why it’s always important to assess your needs and set boundaries. 

Here are some questions to get you started:

• What can you reasonably accomplish during your day?
• What are your priorities?
• How is your work-life balance currently?
• Do you have a support network to help with stress?
• Are you regularly practising self-care?

Sources:

Healthandsafety.govt.nz

Stuff.co.nz - To make the most of your snippets of downtime - start with a pause

Stuff.co.nz - Why we've lost the ability to rest and relax

Stuff.co.nz - Sleep, diet, fitness and stress: The small changes you can make for a better 2021

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