Find time to relax

Do you ever wonder how you’ll manage to get through the myriad of tasks ahead of you for the day? Do you spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to juggle conflicting events and appointments on your calendar?  What about meeting deadlines? Do you feel like there needs to be a clone of yourself in order to accomplish everything you have to do? Do you feel like running away sometimes and leaving it all behind?  Well, if you can relate to some or all of the above, you are not alone. The key is to make time to relax.

When was the last time you got up from your desk or workspace to take a five -minute walk or just grab for some fresh air?  When was the last time you stopped your vehicle in a picturesque, quiet location on the drive home to just sit, unwind, and capture the visual beauty? 

Stress 

When the stress of all your responsibilities becomes overwhelming for you, it inevitably has an adverse effect on those around you — whether it be family, co-workers, or the stranger you meet in passing. It is unfair to dump your stresses upon another person. Other people will take it on — and then find they can’t release it, either. Most importantly, it has an adverse, and sometimes irreversible effect on you.  

There are a number of ways we can manage or eliminate some of our stress factors. And then there are those matters which just have to work themselves out over time. However, just as we make time to do all the things we feel are important in order to secure that dollar bill, we absolutely must make time to relax.

The scheduling of important appointments for our wellness oftentimes goes by the wayside when we have other “stuff” to do. The doctor and dental visits, for instance, should be concretely scheduled in your calendar. I have reminded many a person that if you collapsed and passed away on any given day from the stress of it all, in most cases, your place of employment will have your spot filled in record time. So it is important to take time while we have it — to relax.

This has been an extremely difficult concept for me to embrace but it’s been an excellent practice. Having always been a person to offer help to all people, I have learned to say ‘no’ when it interferes with my down time. I take time for me quite regularly — and sometimes that also means ignoring the phone and knocks on the door.  

Relaxation doesn’t have to burn your wallet.  Recently I have spent a lot of time walking, sitting, or even eating near the ocean. I had the pleasure of sitting alone for breakfast recently at Bermy Cuisine. This was the second time I had met and been served by a bubbly, pleasant young lady — Taliya Outerbridge. She made the ‘me’ time ever so much more pleasant. The impromptu family barbeque gave all of us a chance to sit off and unwind. An hour long sit by the ocean with my take out was fantastic. A full weekend day to lay in bed until late afternoon was just what the doctor ordered. These are just some of the relaxation activities I have enjoyed.

Life really is too short and I must admit, I’m feeling like my grandma did when I was a child when I look at the obituary pages and see that yet another person I know has passed away. Let’s embrace life and all it has to offer. 

Shawnette Somner is a mother and educator.  Email: [email protected]