Taking Time to Yourself is Not Selfish (Copy)
March 26, 2024
Writer: Ella Javorsky
Editor: Talya Appelbaum
I have always been an all-star planner and task juggler. I thrive off of the schedule scripted in my mind that declares what task I should be doing at every hour of my day. This schedule does not incorporate free time, of course; rather, every minute has an activity or task scheduled into it until my day is full. Planning occurs subconsciously, without any thought or hesitation, but it is time that I break the cycle.
As I struggle to balance my everyday tasks, I find myself neglecting self-care. I tell myself, “There is simply not enough time in the day,” or worse, “I don't deserve downtime,” because my schedule is already full. Yet leisure is a necessary step towards productivity, and it is time that we all recognize this and make our routines more flexible. Taking time to yourself is not selfish but an investment in our overall well-being. I am actively working on welcoming routine into my daily life to maximize productivity and dedicate time to myself, my physical, and my mental health.
But where do I start, and why should I break this cycle? Research has found that leisure activities can immediately improve subjective well‐being by eliciting positive emotions, leading to effective stress‐coping strategies in the long term (Iwasaki, 2006). Specifically, leisure activities enhance resilience, which is a part of cognitive functioning that includes stress‐coping dynamics, such as adapting to challenging life events and adversarial situations. These activities promote positive emotions, enriching the quality of one’s thoughts and action plans, therefore leading to enhanced coping strategies for upcoming stressful situations.
Everyone’s form of self-care and leisure is unique, and it is time that we embrace the personal nature of these moments and devote time to ourselves. In my life, I will start to create pauses in my mental schedule–moments to be present and available to myself and my surroundings.
After shifting my mindset, here are my tips for self-care, routine, and free time:
Start the day with something for you: a workout, a walk, meditation, journaling, or a homemade healthy breakfast with time to eat and relax.
Check in with yourself throughout the day and notice when you feel stressed, upset, or unsettled. Recognize these feelings and take a minute to yourself to regroup and reset.
Set aside special time to spend with your family, whether that be a family dinner, a phone call, or games.
Pick up the phone and call a friend that you miss.
Express gratitude for all that you have and all of the little things that you appreciate but often leave unnoticed.
Take time to relax before bed. Take a bath or read a book, giving time to yourself to wind down.
Try something new (a new hobby, workout class, food, etc.).
Look through old photos or music and get nostalgic.
Be there for someone who needs you (and listen to them).
Devote time to skin care (EX: face masks, baths, or gua sha).
References
Iwasaki, Y. (2006). Counteracting stress through leisure coping: A prospective health study. Psychology Health and Medicine, 11(2), 209–220. 10.1080/13548500500155941 Takiguchi, Y., Matsui, M., Kikutani, M., & Ebina, K. (2023). The relationship between leisure activities and mental health: The impact of resilience and COVID-19. Applied psychology. Health and well-being, 15(1), 133–151. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12394
