Make time for your life

Nothing can reverse your plans for a healthy lifestyle faster than excessive stress. Yet with all the pressures of modern life, it’s easy to neglect yourself.

Start de-stressing your life and feeling good by finding ways of connecting with your personal values and priorities, becoming comfortable with saying no and taking some time for yourself.

When you invest time in yourself, everyone around you will benefit from your energy and love for life. Here are some ideas that can help you start managing stress. Try one – they work!

Go away for the weekend, but don’t decide on the destination beforehand. Pack a bag, get in the car, start driving and see where you end up. Whether you go it alone or take along your partner or a good friend, it’s bound to be an adventure. Couldn’t you use a little more spontaneity in your life?

When asked to do something, don’t automatically answer yes. Take at least 24 hours to think about it. Is this something you really have time do and still keep a healthy balance in your life? If not, just say no!

If you’re a mother with young children, tell your partner you’re taking a night off. Book a room at a local hotel and spa, order room service and enjoy a spa treatment and sleep in. Trust us, no one will die of loneliness or starvation and you‘ll return rested, rejuvenated and ready to take on motherhood with newfound energy.

Make family time simple and flexible. Quality family time doesn’t have to be Disneyland. It simply means uninterrupted time together that everyone enjoys. Live in the moment and go ice skating, have a picnic in the backyard, take in a local play or just bake some cookies together. It’s the simple things you do together that you and your kids will remember in years to come.

After a stressful day, watch the sunset. It’s one of the most soothing activities you can do. Sit back, relax, breathe deeply and watch the changing colours of the sky. After a few minutes, you’ll be able to feel tensions melt away as the night slowly begins to envelop you.

Sign up for singing lessons, belly-dancing, karate lessons, life drawing classes or ________. It’s doesn’t matter what it is, the secret is to identify an activity you’ve always been interested in and do it! Who knows, it just might become a passion!

Finally, remember, sometimes it’s OK just to do nothing.

For more ideas on how to manage stress, check out the So Good Lifestyle Tracker