You look at your schedule and see that you have something going on from the time you get up until you drop into bed at night. Maybe you’re overworked and overbooked, or maybe you believe that idle hands are the devil’s tool. Whatever the reason for your busyness, you need to make some changes.
Why You Need Time Out
Taking time out during the day helps you be more relaxed at night. You will enjoy better quality sleep instead of tossing and turning. It can also help you find solutions to problems when your brain has time to relax and recharge.
Your body isn’t made to go all the time. It needs downtime for certain processes to keep working. For instance, your immune system is constantly fighting foreign invaders that would make you sick. It rejuvenates when you’re asleep and at rest.
How Much Time Out Do You Need?
You may not see a way to book an hour-long massage or take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. However, you can take five minutes on your lunch break to close your eyes. Let your mind relax while waiting in line at the grocery store instead of getting aggravated at the delay.
A mental time out can happen anywhere. You can be stuck in traffic, waiting for a meeting or in the shower. Let your mind relax and stop thinking about your to-do list. Instead, think about things that make you happy if you must fill your mind with something.
A physical time out may be a little more difficult to schedule. It doesn’t need to be long. Even 10 or 15 minutes of not doing anything can help you feel energized. You may need to put it on your calendar, but the results will be worth it.