Top Tip - Taking Time Out

1. Try something new
   As they say, variety is the spice of life! There are so many experiences on offer to pick from. Perhaps you could visit somewhere you’ve never been before, try a new hobby or activity, eat in a different restaurant or cook a new recipe. The list is endless.
   
   
2. Re-connect with people you haven’t seen for some time
   With life making so many demands on your time it is easy for weeks to go past without talking to some people. Make a conscious effort to telephone or meet someone you haven’t seen for some time and catch up with what they have been doing. Reconnecting with other people also helps you gain a more balanced perspective of your own life.
   
   
3. Spend some time outdoors
   Go for a walk, ideally somewhere quiet and rural, or sit in a park perhaps. Spending some time surrounded by nature has an extremely calming effect. Really observe your surroundings, listen to the sounds and clear your mind of the stresses of work.
   
   
4. Take control of your time
   Regardless of the tasks required of you in any given day, there will be pockets of time that you have absolute control over. This is when you can choose how you use this time. Make a commitment to take time out regularly. If necessary block that time off in your diary as if you would a meeting, and value you it as jut as important. Be strong enough to honour that time as an investment in your wellbeing.
   
   
5. Say ‘no’ when necessary
   If we look at all the jobs we have set ourselves, are they all necessary? Are some detracting from our true priorities and hindering our journey? If so, how realistic is it to remove them? Wherever possible, let go of demands which are causing unnecessary stress and be conscious of saying ‘no’ when asked to do such things in future.
6. © Copyright 2010 PaTrisha-Anne Todd All Rights Reserved

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