Most people find it hard to make time for themselves due to their hectic schedules, even though “me time” is one of the things that keeps us going and gives us energy for another day.

It’s one of the anomalies of life that the more time we have to relax the less we are able to do so. Or, like CEM Joad said: “It has been left to our generation to discover that you can move heaven and earth to save five minutes and then not have the faintest idea what to do with them when you have saved them.” Often the difficulty lies in getting started. So, here are a few tips:

    • Spend time with your pets, you will be surprised how relaxed they can make you feel
    • Take up a hobby like painting, dancing or horse riding. Once you get into it you will forget about your worries for a while
    • Do voluntary work at an animal shelter or work with under-privileged children – it will make you realise how much you have to be thankful for
    • Organise a ladies’ or mens’ night for yourself and your close friends
    • Take a friend, someone special or an elderly relative out for dinner to a fancy restaurant
    • Break away for a long weekend in the middle of a term. Holiday resorts will be quiet and peaceful
    • Listen to soft music while you soak in a bath filled with luxurious bath products, or put the headphones on and listen to your favourite music for an hour after everyone has gone to bed
    • Take a walk after work and notice the beauty of nature.