Have you ever taken a time out? When we think of the phrase “time out”, we may think of sports, or what you have your children do when they’re getting a little rambunctious. Well, a time out doesn’t have to be a punishment. It can be a way to relax and let go of the stressful thoughts that are weighing you down. Or, as in sports, it can be a time to take a break, regroup, and plan your next steps in life.

Our lives can be very stressful at times. We have many obligations- to our mates, children, parents, friends, bosses, etc. The list goes on and on. A lot of it we take on voluntarily and enjoy doing so. Sometimes, though, our to-do list can make us want to run and hide under the covers! We get out of bed running and never stop. Although I don’t have children myself, some of my friends’ days seem to be consumed by carpools, work, homework, dinner, clean up, bath time, bedtime (the kids’ bedtime, not theirs) all before they can attend to any of their own personal needs.

When I ask my friends why they don’t take some time for themselves, they say they can’t. They tell me they feel guilty if they spend any time doing something that’s for them alone, like getting a pedicure, going shopping, or reading a book. Although I’m not a parent, I also feel guilty sometimes when I’m doing something just for myself. At work, I frequently come in early or take a short lunch to get more done. On the weekends, if I sleep in, my first thought upon waking is “Why didn’t I get up sooner?”

Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to have a sense of urgency sometimes. Employers look for that; they want someone who will go the extra mile to get the job done. Not being focused on the time clock can certainly help you succeed in life. It becomes an issue, though, when even during your leisure time, your enjoyment is spoiled because you’re thinking about what other tasks you should be doing.

We should not feel guilty for taking a few minutes out of each day for ourselves. Not doing so causes increased stress. This can lead to a host of health problems, such as ulcers, chronic reflux, a heart attack or even a stroke. Dealing with these health conditions will make us even less able to perform all the daily tasks that caused all of this stress in the first place!

How do we go about taking that precious “time out”? In our professional lives, we can save time by bringing our lunch from home, and then spend the rest of our break time taking a walk around the block. Even if we can only spare 15 minutes, that time spent out in the sunshine not thinking about everything we should be doing can send us back to work feeling more focused and ready to tackle the rest of the day. Put it in your work calendar; treat it like every other appointment and you will be more likely to do it each day.

In our home lives, we can do the same thing. If you have small children that keep you running all day, sometimes it’s worth it to get up a few minutes before they do, so you can take a shower, have a cup of coffee, read the paper, etc. without worrying about what the kids are getting into. If you have an infant, get out the stroller when the weather is nice and take a walk! Exercise does wonders for stress relief and your child will love it as well. Have a trusted neighborhood teen or family member watch your kids for an couple hours once or twice a week. Use that time to get together with a friend, work out, enjoy your favorite hobby, or just run errands by yourself. It’s amazing how even doing chores can be fun when you’re able to power through them without interference.

Those of us who don’t have children still need to schedule some “me time” as well. On Saturday mornings, I like to get up early and go to a farmer’s market a few minutes away from my home. I stop on the way for coffee and enjoy the drive. Once I’m there, I get a treat at my favorite bakery’s stand and wander around. Half the time I don’t even buy anything else, but I come home feeling happy and refreshed. My boyfriend doesn’t mind either. He takes the time to work, surf the web or watch television, and when I get home, we spend the rest of the day together.

Taking time for yourself is not a bad thing. It can actually make you a better friend, parent, and mate. When we are able to fit some of the things into our day that bring us pleasure, it makes us happier and more enjoyable to be around. We will have more patience for our loved ones and the tasks we need to accomplish. Schedule some “me time” now and you will see the difference it makes in your life.