True quiet time has many benefits
Husband or wife, mom or dad, the demands on your time can be overwhelming. But even if theres no end to your to-do list, securing some time for yourself is a must.
While scheduling a mani-pedi or catching a ball game with friends is great, simply closing your office or bedroom door for 30 minutes can give you the time you need to recharge.
True quiet time with no distractions and no demands has many benefits. It allows you to focus on important situations youre dealing with, think more clearly and be more creative. You can even use the time to reflect on the goals youve set for yourself and possibly tweak them.
Finding private time can seem like a challenge all by itself. You might try waking up 15 minutes before everyone else in your household for quiet reflection before you turn on the TV or any other electronics. In pleasant weather, get outside in the morning sunshine and take a walk around the block or simply water the flowers in your yard.
At night, skip the late news and escape to the solitude of your bedroom or a spare room that can become your oasis. You might read, do a crossword puzzle, knit a few rows on a small project or simply practice a few minutes of deep breathing to get yourself centered and relaxed for a deeper sleep. Resist the temptation to text a friend or check email. Just focus on yourself.
Tuning out for limited periods is so rejuvenating that each March, theres a National Day of Unplugging to encourage people to turn off their electronic devices. But you dont have to wait until then. Find some me time today.
When busy stops it can be a shock. It takes time to acclimate to quiet time off. At first, you might find yourself looking for something to do. In fact, in the face of free time, theres the temptation to shift the focus, but still keep doing too much.
Downtime is one of the best ways to reset your nervous system, defuse stress, and give your health a boost. But these days, we almost need a primer to relearn how to stop. Here are some of the quiet indulgences we enjoyed intermixed with more ideas well be trying out in future. Maybe these tips will help us master the art of tranquility too.
Do you need sleep? When theres nothing to do, you might suddenly discover how tired you actually are. You deserve to sleep late and take a limitless number of cat naps. I slept till noon one day and didnt think twice. Practice the art of doing nothing. Sit still and bring your senses alive. Listen to the wind as it sifts through the trees, perk up at the taste sensations of your next meal, feel the sun penetrate your skin, bask in the sensual life.
Go slowly. Whatever you do, slow it down to half-pace. Dare to feel what it might be like to live at a reduced velocity.
Sit still after meals. Instead of routinely popping a pill for indigestion or heartburn, try allowing ample time for digestion. Sit quietly for 10-30 minutes after a meal. Can you stop yourself from jumping right up?
Practice mindfulness. Theres no better time to practice mindfulness than when confronted with wide-open space. Observe what tugs at your sleeve. Be aware of the habits of your mind, words, and deeds now exposed ever so nakedly.
HealthDay
