Do You Feel Guilty if You Take Time for Yourself?

When did life get so busy?  We have internet to give us instant access to information, bread makers to bake bread while we sleep, crock pots to cook dinner while we're at work, vacuums we can program to clean the carpet all by itself,  a multitude of kitchen gadgets to help food preparation, car pools to give us a week off from taking the kids to school - so how come we're always running around with not a moment to ourselves?



It seems despite all the modern day conveniences we're all busy doing something almost every minute of the day.  This leads to stress, our sleep suffers, we grab food on the go and as a result our health suffers and we don't take time to enjoy the life we're so busy creating.


I'd like you to stop for a moment, take a deep breathe and tell yourself not only is it ok to take time to look after yourself but it's essential to take time to look after yourself.  You really will be better able to look after your family and/or cope with the demands of work if you are spending time on your own wellbeing.


While I was a stay-at-home Mom I became a consultant for Pink Papaya Spa Parties and would go to ladies houses who had invited a group of friends over. They'd try the products and have a fun evening.



It was always interesting for me to observe the ladies during the evening - they would arrive in a stressed out rush apologizing for being late and explaining how they had to work late or help with their son's school project which was due tomorrow or collect their daughter from volleyball and drive 4 friends home before they could get here.


Then I'd watch as they sat down and started trying the lotions and scrubs I offered.  I'd watch the tension leave their face & their shoulders relax.  By the end of the evening they would leave with a smile, looking very calm and ready to deal with whatever chaos had happened at home while they were out for the evening.


My point is, just taking a short time away from your regular routine can rejuvenate you.


This is National Women's Health Week and the theme for 2011 is "It's Your Time".  National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority.  I encourage women every where to give up the guilt we often feel about making time ourselves.  Look at your life and find time each day that's just for you.  It can be reading a book, listening to music, going for a walk, deciding that yes - you will go to that exercise class you've been wanting to try or learning more about  healthy eating.  But most of all it's deciding you won't feel guilty about doing it!


If you are eating well, sleeping well & exercising your body you will feel more relaxed, balanced and better able to cope with the ups and downs of daily life.   What a great role model you will be for your children when they see you looking after your mental, physical & emotional health.  From this they will be learning terrific life skills.


So make that Doctor appointment you've been putting off; make the effort to plan your meals to improve your nutrition and reduce the mealtime madness; write 'exercise' on your calendar; decide to finally ask for help to stop smoking and make this Women's Health Week the start of  you taking control of your health!


Let me know what National Women's Health Week has inspired you to do!