Summer, the time of year that flies by. How many times has September 1st rolled around and the only thought you have is “I’m exhausted.” Due to summers being so fleeting we pack them full of yard work, outdoor projects, outings and celebrations, but what we tend to forget to include is some down time.

More and more we are switching from running our lives to having our lives run us. Whether it be work or home life many of us don’t take enough time for ourselves. We tend to feel guilty for wanting to a take a day to just relax at home or go to the spa.

Not taking time out of the day for yourself can be detrimental to your health. Your concentration will falter, stresses build up, and your body becomes run down and more susceptible to illness or unhealthy choices.

You are no good to anyone else if you aren’t good to yourself.

Here are some ideas of how to take a little time for yourself now and then:

• Bubble Bath– have your spouse watch the kids and go relax in an Epson salts bath.
• Early Morning Walk– early mornings can be peaceful and quite, it’s a great time to walk and reflect on life.
• Close your eyes– Take 10 minutes out of your busy day, lay on your office floor, clothes your eyes and just breathe.
• Read a book– this is a great way to
  escape for a few minutes or a few hours without having to go anywhere.
• Do something you love– paint, drive, sing, dance, sew, garden. Something you enjoy that you don’t see as work.
• Nap– one of my personal favorites,
  sometimes a 30 minute nap can make all the difference to your mood and your day.
• Journaling– if you take few minutes out of your day to write your thoughts, your ideas, even just what happened that day it can help to lighten your mental load.
• Mud Bath– whether at the spa or with the guys mudding in a field. Take some time away from your usual day to day routine.
• No Schedule– don’t set a schedule for the day, just let things happen. Pick one thing and see where it leads.

Remember you are only human, you were not created to be a constant work horse. Try and incorporate some of these ideas into your daily life and you may find yourself a lighter person.

“You have permission to rest. You are not responsible for fixing everything that is
broken. You do not have to try and make everyone happy. For now, take time for you. It’s time to replenish.”- Unknown Author

-Cortney & Candace