What to Do When You Have Little to No Time

Time flies. Regardless of whether it’s 2012 or any other year, time seems to go by way too quickly. This can lead to the feeling that you’ll never get things done, there’s not enough time to do what you need to do, let alone what you WANT to do, and it can really stress you out. There’s a solution to this and it’s a lot easier (and a lot more fun) than you might think: schedule down-time.

We schedule time for meetings, workouts, family, and special events. Why not schedule some time to just relax?
That doesn’t mean you need to escape to a spa, go on vacation, or even visit a masseuse. All you need to do is let go of your to do list for a couple of hours. Go for a walk, read a good book, meditate, catch up on your favorite TV shows, watch a movie. Do something that takes your mind off of how much you need to get done.

Even though it sounds counter-intuitive, you’ll find that the more you schedule down-time, the more time you seem to have. Sure, you’re spending more of your time by doing so but the benefits you’ll gain (decreased stress, more joy, relaxed mind and body) will make the rest of your time appear to pass more slowly, allowing you even MORE time to get all that important stuff done.

If you don’t believe me, try it out for yourself. What have you got to lose? Maybe the laundry won’t get done today, but what’s more important: the laundry or your mental and physical health? Here’s the thing about stress: it not only frazzles your mind; it also creates stress hormones called cortisol in the body. Maybe you’ve heard about cortisol; it causes fat to build up in the abdominal region, making it a huge opponent of weight-loss and heart health.

That said, taking time for yourself is imperative, as it not only helps your mind but your body as well. Self-care is a part of being in balance. Without it, you’re throwing off other areas of life. I’ve seen this happen a lot with myself and with clients: you give, you work, you care for others, and put yourself on the back burner. This can lead to health conditions, weight gain, and the feeling that you’ll never have time for yourself or you’re not that important. Remember this: you ARE important. So make yourself a priority.

Like I always say, you can read this and save it for later or you can take action now. The difference is that people who take action are the people who get results. If you want a more balanced life and less stress, this is one post you’re going to want to take to heart.