Being “on call”  is not time off…at any moment in the back of your mind you know you might have to “jump to it.”…….to answer to a boss or other demand in which WHAT YOU WANT DOES NOT MATTER, or at least is not first priority.

All humans need time for themselves to allow the body and mind to re-organize to your rhythms….did you know everyone has their own unique energy pattern? When we have time off, we can do things we really want to do that come from a place of interest or passion, not just doing what others need us to do.  Maybe you like to watch movies, or paint or watch Nature shows or hike in Nature, do photography……or just SLEEP.

There are so many demands today that usually something suffers…..either your relationships or your health, these are the big ones……..Alcoholism and other ADDICTIONS can develop because of too little time off.. We can become DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, IRRITABLE, and FEEL LIKE WE HAVE LOST MEANING IN OUR LIVES, if we don’t have enough time off.

 

SUGGESTIONS:  Do as much as you can below.  Don’t be hard on yourself.  There are situations like having small children or impossible bosses that can make it more difficult to do some of these ideas.

 

1. Do not let anyone talk you into being at their beck and call without making time for yourself to be COMPLETELY FREE of any responsibility
2. If you are parents, keep searching for the right babysitter, relative, or activity to give yourself time to spend alone or with your spouse……. away from the kids. Even trading stay-overs with other parents can help.
3. Try to keep up a Saturday night date type of situation when you may go out together dressing up a bit, SEXY perhaps, or, if you like, or at least going to a special event.   It could even be a special dinner at home in your pajamas, but away from the kids is crucial. ( Young children may be in a separate category.) “Date nights” can bring  a special feeling like in the old days when you first met.
4. What is recommended is NOT LESS THAN 2 days in a row a week……..OFF.  Away from kids at least one day a week, including an overnight.
5. When possible get your work hours to be 4 days rather than 5 days of working.  Studies show that 3 days off in a row, or even 2 and ½ days off, bring more renewed energy than 2 days off.
6. Never underestimate SLEEP………maybe what you want is to sleep for most of a day. Yes you don’t have to be sick to stay in bed all day.  Try this: sleep, eat, sleep, eat, bathroom, sleep, TV, sleep, reading light stuff, sleep: see how you feel the next day after such a relaxing schedule.
7. Never underestimate good communication skills in the family and between husband and wife….to use these skills with a “FAMILY MEETING”  2-4x a month can do wonders to make you feel more supported and energized.  Conversely, when people are disagreeable, we usually feel more tired around them.
8. ALONE TIME……..CRUCIAL…. TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE SEPARATE FROM WHO EVERYONE THINKS YOU ARE!
9. Mindfulness meditation, very popular today……..for clarity and tranquility, 5-10 minutes a day or 2 minutes sitting in the car, if pressed for time, or stressed out.

I  LOVE TO WORK with couples, families and individuals to find ways to get more TIME OFF.

I give mindfulness meditation seminars, CCC.(Couples Communication Classes,)  stress reduction classes, and conflict resolution seminars.    FLEXIBLE  TIMES, PLACES, FEES……office/home.

 

© 2013 Gina Keegan, RCC. All rights Reserved.