Taking Time for Yourself
- Sam DiFranco
- Aug 26, 2017
- 2 min read
How can I learn to take time for myself without the guilt?
By not taking a little time out of each day for yourself, you might be less happy than possible. Start by focusing on yourself. Acknowledge that your own happiness is important and practice happiness-boosting routines.
You have multiple priorities on your mind at any given time. Food, kids, laundry, cleaning, friends, work, bills, relationships, home, car, shower, sex, exercise, hobbies, not to mention politics, economics, scientific breakthroughs, the environment, public education or healthcare.
You are in constant movement, getting things done, going places, talking to people.
Not only are you thinking about many things at the same time, recent Harvard research, indicates that you’re thinking about something other than what you are doing in the moment at least 47% of the time. You spend most of your life engaging with a wandering mind, thinking about everything you need to do, pondering world affairs and absentmindedly doing what needs to be done right now. You are giving life half of your attention because almost 50% of the time you’re thinking of something other than what you’re doing.
When your life is guided by thoughts about things you have to do or things you have done you will likely fail to focus on the present. And you might experience a downward spiral* into stress and unhappiness.
Your focus is on everything and everyone except yourself.
You are rarely on your own list!
You feel responsible for “getting everything done.”
This mentality incorporates the thinking “If I don’t do it, who will?”
When you focus on everything except yourself you might feel angry, irritable, frustrated, disappointed, stressed, depressed, lethargic and you might head right for the chocolate and potato chips.
Affordable Counseling Center provides solution focused counseling for couples, families, and individuals by licensed Therapists to the extended Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and Riverview areas. We can see you the day you call or whenever possible. We are available evening and weekends by appointment.
At Star Point Counseling Center, there are two convenient locations for you to choose from in Brandon and Tampa. So call or text us today, or anytime at (813) 244-1251 or visit us online at:
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