{"id":3699,"date":"2022-05-19T15:44:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T15:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=3699"},"modified":"2022-05-19T17:05:51","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T17:05:51","slug":"the-gift-of-me-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/the-gift-of-me-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gift of Me Time"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lately, everyone seems to be pulled in a million different directions. But if you\u2019re a woman, you may be especially overwhelmed. \u201cWomen today are more burnt out than ever because they\u2019re taking on more and more responsibility in our ever-changing, fast-paced society,\u201d says Emma Demar, LCSW<\/a>, a therapist with IntrinPsych Woman in New York City.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The trend is so extreme that burnout<\/a> among working women has hit a three-year high, affecting 34 percent of working females, compared to 26 percent of their male counterparts, according to a recent Gallup poll<\/a>. And it\u2019s hardly limited to the office. Recent research<\/a> reveals that moms are tapped out too.<\/p>\n

So, if all of this sounds familiar, you\u2019re hardly alone.<\/p>\n

Speaking of being alone, when was the last time you were <\/em>alone? If the answer is \u2018I can\u2019t even remember,\u2019 that could be part of the problem. \u201cIt\u2019s essential to regularly take a conscious step off the hamster wheel and check in with yourself and attend to your personal needs,\u201d says Demar. \u201cAfter all, we can\u2019t pour from an empty cup.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sounds great, but how do you find the time you need to replenish and recharge? Here\u2019s what psychologists want you to know.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a reason why women feel so drained<\/h2>\n

\u201cAs women, we\u2019re expected to wear multiple hats and juggle a multitude of responsibilities,\u201d says Demar. \u201cOn top of that we\u2019re expected to make it look easy.\u201d That\u2019s tricky under the best of circumstances, but today those obligations seem to be growing (and growing). \u201cBoundaries that were once in place, such as the separation of work and home or the division between business hours and private time, have blurred,\u201d says Haley Perlus, PhD<\/a>, a sports and performance psychologist. <\/p>\n

\u201cNow we move from one responsibility to another with little or no time to even think about taking a moment to renew energy, and often our responsibilities overlap.\u201d That, she says, creates even more emotional and mental exhaustion. <\/p>\n

Burnout goes beyond being tired<\/h2>\n

Feeling drained is the most obvious symptom of burnout. However, there are two additional telltale signs<\/a>. The first\u2014what psychologists call depersonalization\u2014is the loss of connection to your job, friends, or even family. Maybe you suddenly dread opening your inbox in the morning or have zero motivation to schedule lunch with a friend. That\u2019s depersonalization. <\/p>\n

The other feature is becoming unrealistically hard on yourself. For instance, your work may be completely fine or even exceptional. Still, you seem to think you\u2019re unproductive or are doing a lousy job.<\/p>\n

You can take back the balance<\/h2>\n

\u201cMany women feel guilty if they take time to recover because that\u2019s time they could be spending supporting someone else or crossing things off their to-do list,\u201d says Perlus. \u201cRecovery is perceived as a reward and allowed if <\/em>they complete all their to-do\u2019s.\u201d <\/p>\n

The truth is, we have it all backward. Recovery should be part of your daily routine to prevent burnout before it strikes, not an afterthought once you\u2019re completely fried.<\/p>\n

Sounds great, but how do you make it happen? These five strategies can help:<\/p>\n

Schedule a daily check-in. <\/strong>Each morning or evening, take a few minutes to sit quietly<\/a> and observe or write down your thoughts or feelings without judging them, suggests Demar.<\/p>\n

Start a daily movement practice. <\/strong>\u201cThis can be as simple as a short walk around the block, some flow yoga<\/a>, or even a stretch,\u201d says Demar. \u201cUse the time to tune back into yourself and experience what sort of thoughts come up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mix it up. <\/strong>Perlus is a big fan of following periods of activity with moments of stillness. \u201cAfter you\u2019ve been active, try engaging in something that brings feelings of peace, calm, and restoration,\u201d she says. Meditation, deep breathing, or (yes!) naps are all great choices.<\/p>\n

Make a list of things you miss. <\/strong>\u201cThese can be activities or relationships that have taken a backseat in your otherwise busy life,\u201d says Demar. \u201cThen, on Sunday evening, take a look at your list to see where you can add one or two of these into your weekly schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enjoy small breaks. <\/strong>\u201cWhen you introduce short recovery pauses, you won\u2019t require hours at the end of the day, weekend, or on vacation,\u201d says Perlus. \u201cBrainstorm what you can do when you have less than five minutes, ten minutes, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes and begin to insert these breaks throughout the day.\u201d Walking the dog, listening to music, a small act of kindness, or tuning in to what you feel grateful for are powerful yet require little time.<\/p>\n

If all of this sounds self-indulgent, maybe it\u2019s time to see things from a different perspective. \u201cWhen you say yes to \u2018me time\u2019, you are giving yourself the opportunity to be your best self for the people you love and want to support,\u201d says Perlus. \u201cAnd they\u2019d much prefer the best version of you to the burnt out one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post The Gift of Me Time<\/a> appeared first on Fitbit Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Finding time for yourself can seem like a challenge, but the payback is so worth it.
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