Many moms and dads have the feeling that the day races by, devoted to endless chores, without being able to carve out the least bit of time for them. In fact, a study done years ago showed that most working moms ended up stealing time from their sleep in order to spend alone time after the rest of the family was in bed.

Alone time

The need to spend time alone, without the pressure of external demands is as essential for our well-being as having a proper diet or exercising. Being alone with yourself, with your thoughts, or simple without having to respond or interact is a healthy thing to do.

When you had not yet formed a family, those “you” times were probably a part of your day and you didn’t even notice. But as work and family obligations pile up, those alone times are fewer and far between and therefore, more precious.  

Spending time doing an activity you enjoy is one of the best investments you can make, time-wise. It will help to improve your mood, your mental health and as a consequence, your physical well-being.  

Where to find time

The main problem in enjoying those times of much-deserved rest is where to find the time for then. For some people, those down times are a must in order to function and give priority to those periods. For others, however, especially for moms and dads who have to raise a family with young children, finding that time may be complicated.  

Taking time from your sleep, as our mothers did, is not a good idea, because you need a good night’s sleep in order to face the day’s obligations without caving in.  The key is to fit in at least half an hour to take a conscious break, which is important for your good health.

Your special moment may be your lunch break, when you may want to unwind with a cup of decaf or read a book. If you are an early riser, then you may enjoy breakfast alone before everyone else gets up. Make those moments something special, pamper yourself and enjoy your own company. A special blend of coffee, flowers, or simply sitting at a park bench listening to the birds sing can help you take a break from your responsibilities.  

If you want to take these moments further, then take some time daily to meditate, practice yoga or any other relaxing activity that helps you reconnect with yourself.