Welcome back and thanks for taking the time to pause and take a few moments time-out. Remember to subscribe to my free weekly YogaInspiresYou enewsletter for more self care and yogic tips.
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Are you always working? Do you feel under pressure and find it frustrating to juggle the constant demands of being a parent with work pressures?
Do you find it difficult to switch off from work? And even when home with your family do you find yourself worrying about the amount of work you have to do?
If you enjoy your work and get a lot of pleasure from doing what you do, chances are you don’t mind putting in the extra hours or even working evenings and at weekends. You may consider “extra work” as part and parcel of your job. However, as you know, there comes a time when it feels like all you are doing is working and time with your family feels like a merry go round of yelling, shouting and being ratty.
When was the last time you a quiet family evening?
Can you remember the last time you came home and for once did not complain about your boss, lack of resources or unreasonable demands of your colleagues?
When was the last time you sat down and had an evening meal with your family without discussing your day at work? Is it possible, to even go for an evening without “work” being part of your schedule? If you struggle to answer these questions, then chances are you are overworking and not making time for yourself to relax and let-go.
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Do You Know The Toll Your Overworked Life Is Taking On You?
Learning how to relax, to make relaxation a priority is vital if you wish to regain control over your addiction to work.
What Happens When You Relax
When you relax, your brain stops sending emergency signals to your nervous system. Your heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure all return to normal levels. People, especially those dear to you, intuitively sense the change in your energy and warm to you.
Here Are Three Easy Ways To Relax And Let Go
Given the positive benefits of relaxation, here are three easy ways you can build in generous periods of relaxation into your daily schedule.
1. Stop Hustling
Learn to accept that you and your time are important. Spend a few minutes before you go to bed and review your following day. Look for periods of time when you can fit in 5 – 15 minutes of relaxation. Perhaps on the subway you can read a book instead of your company reports. Or when you get home from work, instead of rushing straight into the kitchen to cook dinner, put the kettle on and have a cup of tea. Dinner may be a few minutes late but you will feel revived and your children will sense the calm in you and respond positively to that vibe.
2. Delegate wherever you can, especially at home
This can be hard, especially if your partner or children do not do things “your way”. Release that expectation. Ask for the support and help you need. If there is absolutely no one you can ask for help, then learn to accept some things are just going to have to wait. Your health and well being is far more important than rushing and completing mundane domestic duties.
3. Celebrate
Find an everyday situation and treat it as a celebration. For instance, if you complete a report on time, mentally congratulate yourself. Or if you delegate a task again congratulate yourself. Talk about what you have achieved. As women we tend not to celebrate and forget how much you do accomplish each day. So make sure you take time to savour everything you do.
It’s great that you love and enjoy work. But in terms of investing in your health and reducing stress it is essential you build in relaxation into your schedule. This will reduce the long term effects of stress, improve your productivity at work and, allow you to spend more fun home time with your family.
What Next?
Over the next few days, I am going to offer you specific tips and yogic insights to encourage you to take more time out for yourself and have more fun and enjoyment in life.
In the meantime, what’s your top secret to relax, unwind and let go?
Share your thoughts in the comment box and remember if you enjoyed this post share it with someone else.
Thank you
Image with thanks to old shoe woman
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