CNN had a cool article on why it is important to have “me time”, which is taking a break from daily demands and focus on others to tend to your own needs. For a huge percentage of the US population, navigating life requires spending an abundance of mental and time resources on work, family, and school demands, leaving little time for self-care.

“There are more than physical benefits to getting off this treadmill. Taking a break will actually make you discharge your responsibilities better. Galinsky’s surveys show that people who are happiest at work are those who take time for themselves. “If you shift your focus, you go back to the other areas of life with more energy,” she says. “You’re less stressed, more satisfied with life in general.”‘

In my experience as a clinician, I often see people that are completely overwhelmed with the demands of life, which results in feeling depressed, anxious, exhausted, unhealthy, and dull. Something as small as taking 15 minutes a day to sit in silence, meditate, close your eyes, pray, write down your thoughts, take a walk, talk to a friend, play the guitar, whatever it is for you, can make an unbelievable difference in mood, energy, and quality of life. Furthermore, it will be fuel for managing the constant flow of demands that can wear down your batteries.

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Wellness Wednesday: Me Time « Raw Food Nation (7/8/2009)

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 19 Sep 2006
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