Most of my week I’m either in the office, in meetings, or out and about. There’s always something going on, and sometimes it can be hard to find a moment for myself.
But it’s essential to find time for yourself during the day – whether it’s an hour-long yoga session or a quick stroll around the block. I find that if I don’t make ‘me time’, I’m not as productive as I could be.
FEELING OVERWORKED AND OVERWHELMED? YOU NEED SOME ME-TIME.
Unfortunately, it often takes pushing ourselves to extremes before we realise how overworked we are. There have been a few times over the past 12 months where I haven’t been able to schedule time for myself. And, after a while, I found that I wasn’t dealing with stress very well.
With my job, it’s really important that I’m present, both with my community and myself. As soon as I start to notice that I’m losing that feeling of me-ness, I know I need to act quickly.
Acknowledging those signs is the first step in overcoming burnout. You know you’re not taking enough time out for yourself when you can no longer cope with everyday situations. Maybe you’re not meeting the same deadlines you used to, or you’re less tolerant around colleagues and loved ones.
When you feel overwhelmed, you tend to be super unproductive because you’re not focusing on one task. Your mind is buzzing between multiple things, and you feel like you’re never going to get anything done.
TRY DIFFERENT WAYS TO TAKE TIME OUT
Taking time out for yourself could be anything from reading a book in the bath to going for a walk with the dog. I recently got into meditation – something I’d always thought wasn’t for me. Now I try to do it three times a week, using guided meditations. It’s definitely helped me slow down and stay focused. If I’m not sleeping well, it’s also a great way to unwind before bed and calm my racing mind down!
I recommend finding an activity that can be done anywhere, anytime. Controlled breathing, for example, is a great little break that you can do at your desk, on the bus, or in bed.
If you put too much pressure on yourself to find that time, it can actually become a source of stress itself. Try your best to prioritise time for yourself, but don’t beat yourself up if life gets in the way.
REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
When you’re taking time out for yourself, the best way to get your mind to where it needs to be is by removing as many distractions as you can. This could mean shutting down your computer, switching off your phone or simply leaving it in another room.
Many mental health experts agree we’re spending too much time on our devices. But technology can, ironically, also free us from modern distractions. For me, having a smartwatch is a great way to put a little distance between you and your devices; I’m able to leave my phone – and all of its distractions like social media – elsewhere. I’m away from tech, but I can still access notifications, in case there’s an emergency that I need to respond to. It’s not a completely distraction-free solution, but hey, when it comes to work-life balance, I’m still working on it too!
