Tag Archives: me time

Why We Need Quiet Time

Our lives and our world are full of noise and distractions. Sometimes so much so that we lose focus on what we need to get done. We also forget to take the time for some peace and quiet which is an important part of our overall well-being.

Many people view taking time for solitude and serenity as a luxury they simply cannot afford because let’s face it; if we aren’t doing anything then we’re getting nothing done. This mindset stops us from taking the time we need to grow, renew, and revive.

Look at it from a different perspective, when you take in the silence you allow yourself to engage in time for self-reflection and awareness. Everyone needs quiet time, but what does it entail and how will you benefit? We have some thoughts on that.

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  1. Renewal requires rest

It’s simply impossible to just go, go, go without resting. Everything requires repair and maintenance including the human body. The easy part is relaxing the body; it’s relaxing the mind that’s the hard part. Meditation is a great way to check-out for a bit, mute the noise in your head, and gain the peace you need.

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  1. Rediscover what’s important

When caught up in the whirlwind that is our daily routine, we forget or even ignore what really matters. When you have too many responsibilities or waste time on unnecessary tasks, you lose sight of the important things. You need quiet time to rediscover what you’ve neglected and to revisit priorities.

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  1. Make order from chaos.

When you’re knee-deep in a commotion of activity there is no time for prioritizing tasks. You’re too busy crossing things off the list. The best time to examine the reasons behind what you do in life is best found during quiet moments to yourself.

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  1. Quiet time reinforces your meaning

The human mind needs time to put things into perspective. This can’t be done when you are doing 20 things at once or always chasing deadlines. You need peaceful silence to do that. Only then are you able to rejuvenate and reboot.

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  1. Quiet time is a stress eliminator

You might not be able to completely escape stress, but you can certainly practice ways to mitigate it. One quick and simple way to reduce stress is to  regularly carve out 15-30 minutes of your day to sit quietly alone, meditate, read a book or listen to music, go for a peaceful walk, or put on your pajamas and take a quick nap. If you have even more time (such as a long lunch break) use it. But it’s not all about how long you’re quiet; it’s about making time for it in your life no matter the length of time. It’s the easiest way to nourish your mind and body so you can return to your routine with more energy and focus.

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  1. Heal and stay healthy with quiet time

Medical professionals use dark, quiet rooms for patient recovery from surgery and illness for good reason. Any form of healing, both medical and physical require complete rest and relaxation so that your body and mind to recuperate. Similarly, when you learn to wind down improve your chances of staving off future health problems and disease. A body under less stress has a higher immunity level.

Quite time may seem like an unreasonable goal but believe us, it’s totally attainable. Plan it, do it, and make no excuses for taking the time you need.

5 Easy Mother’s Day Ideas to ‘Set the Mood’ for Relaxation

We’re going to let you in on a little secret: it doesn’t matter if you serve your wife French toast or a bowl of stale Cheerios for her Mother’s Day breakfast in bed. What she really wants for Mother’s Day is rest, relaxation, and lot of downtime in her best pajamas.

People create nighttime routines for relaxation: small things like sliding on your favorite slippers, turning down the lights, wearing the most comfortable pajamas, turning off your phone, or opening a good book are all popular bedtime rituals. These healthy bedtime habits are the key to getting a good night’s sleep.

This Mother’s Day weekend ‘set the mood’ for R&R by showing her that you appreciate everything she does for your family. The easiest way to show your gratitude is by taking on some of the tasks she does regularly, freeing up time for her to decompress.

Here are simple ways to show appreciation will have a big impact on Mother’s Day, or any day of the week:

1. Give mom time to unwind.

Order pizza on Sunday night. Put a movie on for the kids and take charge of cleaning up after dinner. Suggest she sneak away to take a long bath, read a book, and enjoy some quiet time to herself while you get the kids ready for bed. Then let her rest, uninterrupted.

2. Give mom a morning to sleep in.

Keep the kids from bombarding her with their homemade cards at 5am on Mother’s Day morning. Explain that she’ll be really excited to see them after she’s had a good night’s sleep, then suggest she lounge in bed for as long as she’d like. For moms with young children, simply taking a shower alone is a luxury. When you hear her stirring, quietly knock and ask if she’d like coffee and a little something to eat (prepare those stale Cheerios!).

Easy Mother's Day Idea: Give mom me-time.

Take the kids out of the house and let her enjoy a quiet Sunday in her pajamas.

3. Give mom some space.

Another way to show her you understand her needs is by giving her some space on Mother’s Day. Take the kids out of the house and let her enjoy a quiet Sunday morning leisurely sipping coffee in her softest bathrobe without a schedule or agenda.

4. Give mom family time without the headache.

If you and your wife need some time together as a family, plan all the details yourself and keep it low-key. Go out to breakfast or see a movie, but when your toddler gets fussy or your 5-year old starts to whine, be the one to take the reins so she can finish her waffle in peace and drink her coffee while it’s hot.

5. Give mom time together.

Not everyone can spring on a couple’s massage or weekend retreat at a bed & breakfast. Show her you care by picking up a nice bottle of wine and carving out some time for the two of you. After you’ve put the kids to bed, pour her a glass and tell her how much you appreciate what she does every day. Be specific: what is it that she does regularly that you might be taking for granted? What does she do to make things easier for you and the rest of the family? There’s no need for a Hallmark card or a $600 spa treatment if you’re being sincere.

These ideas for Mother’s Day are small gestures of appreciation for your partner. The holiday is about acknowledging the mothers in your life. Nothing says “I see that you work hard” like offering someone time off and telling them how much they deserve it.

For more tips and ideas for rest and relaxation, visit our blog or check us out on Facebook.