Time for yourself

Taking time for yourself without feeling guilty. Consciously saying yes to the things you really want to do and no to things you really don't feel like doing. How do people do this?!

Time for yourself is not a luxury, but a priority to stay healthy. Scientific research has even shown that time for yourself, in which you experience positive emotions, leads to better health, both physically and mentally. Yet many people find this difficult.

Here are some tips for dealing with this:

1. Dealing with guilt : Healthy eating, enough exercise, enough sleep and relaxation are essential for a healthy body. By taking good care of yourself, you can better deal with stress and prevent burnout. Recognize that taking time for yourself is not selfishness, but an essential need for your health. In addition, it provides more new ideas and more energy. Taking time for yourself is not only important for you, but also for others around you!
2. Boredom: Because we are confronted with so many stimuli in daily life, doing nothing can be challenging. Find relaxation in activities that you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, walking in nature, exercising or cooking.
3. Time management: With a busy schedule, there never seems to be enough time, there is always something to do. By planning efficiently, you can still ensure that you can really relax in the time you have planned for yourself. Make a to-do list that gives you an overview of what you still have to do (often this is much less than you think when you write it down!). This also allows you to determine what you can possibly postpone to a later moment. In addition, it can be a good idea to consciously reserve time for yourself in your schedule.

Start small if you feel like you’re ‘so busy already’. Build up gradually, for example by turning off your phone for 10 minutes a day and taking a walk. Over time, it will become easier to free up more time for yourself.