Insights on the Importance of Taking Time for Yourself through Meditation, Exercise, and Nature  

I’m a hypocrite. I don’t practice what I’m about to preach, but I’m trying, and I hope you find my advice helpful. I work too much and take on too much. I’m sure you do the same. I’m a CEO of a turn-around company in the competitive restaurant industry. I’m a mother of two busy teenagers. I have two needy (but adorable) dogs. I volunteer. I’m the treasurer of my son’s soccer team. I sit on boards, and I speak at events. I do all the grocery shopping and meal planning. I’m the one who keeps a calendar and tracks school events, practices, appointments, and travel for the week ahead. I could go on.

What don’t I do? I don’t take care of myself. So, this year I’m going to take time for me. I am going to accomplish this by starting to say “no” to some things, but, more importantly, saying “yes” to me and to MEN.

Let me explain. I find it hard to say no. I am the crazy personality who doesn’t want to let anyone down and thinks I can do it all, so I say yes, even when my plate is more than full. I feel so accomplished because I get everything done, but what suffers is time for me. I love to keep busy, but I’m not being good to myself.

I respect those who put their own needs first. We’re told every time we take a flight to put on our own masks first before assisting others. I’ve heard it a million times, but apparently I haven’t listened very well!

At some point in your life, trying to do it all takes a toll. Many women in their 40s and 50s are in the same camp. I think you hit a certain age milestone or have another catalyst like a relative dying and start to contemplate your life. Sometimes stress and not taking care of yourself can lead to health issues. What’s the solution? As Mr. Myagi from Karate Kid says, “Balance.” You have to balance everything you do for others with taking time for yourself.

My advice to you (or more accurately, to me) is to be a little selfish and focus on yourself. I recently took my first step by not working before bed every night. Occasionally it’s needed, but it became routine for me to work after my family went to bed. Then once in bed, I’d spend the next hour or so trying to fall asleep as I tried to quiet my mind. I finally made the decision start reading books before bed instead — and not business books! I love to read to learn, but I needed to focus on something besides work, so I read non-fiction – biographies, historical non-fiction, and even books about self-help and spirituality. I have at least three books on my nightstand and read before turning out the lights. Now I fall asleep faster. It reminds me of when I used to put my kids to bed when they were little. You start the wind-down process long before bedtime, and you read them a story as they fall asleep.

This brings me to taking time for not just me, but for MEN – Meditation, Exercise, and Nature.

• Meditation. To me, meditation is about quieting my mind. I think too much. I’ve been told I have a very busy brain. The quiet of night is a great time for my brain to start writing my next presentation, planning what I’m going to tell that person the next day, getting ready for the big meeting, or creating a to-do list! I started reading about meditation and learned about the great benefits, including that it slows aging. Sign me up for that! I’m not very good at meditating, but as with most things, it takes practice. I’ve started by focusing on my breathing and clearing my mind. I plan to get better. Between reading for pleasure and trying to meditate, I fall asleep much faster. I don’t think that’s the point of meditation, but I’m getting more sleep than I used to, and I hope I can soon start to slow that aging process.

• Exercise. I used to exercise a lot and was in fairly good shape. I’m not heavy, but I’m not extremely fit either. I actually enjoy exercising and love how I feel when I’m finished. I just get too busy and don’t take the time to do it regularly. I walk the dogs nearly every day and use the treadmill in the basement, but that’s not enough. My goal is to do more yoga and barre classes. We all know the benefits of both to flexibility, muscle strength, and posture. Exercise also helps improve health and immunity and has a positive impact on the brain. Do I really need more reasons to take time for me?

• Nature. I could have made the “N” stand for nutrition. That’s a good choice, too, and I highly recommend eating healthy and drinking plenty of water. However, my personal goal is to spend more time outside. I work long hours in an office and rarely leave the office during the day, even for lunch. I now have two young dogs and try to walk them in the evenings. I think I enjoy the walks more than the dogs do. There is something rejuvenating about enjoying the outdoors. It is great thinking time for me, and I feel happier. I recently spoke with a woman who told me that she had been having health issues and was very unhappy. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her job, but she worked all the time. She was a successful professional in her early forties. She had a health scare that was her catalyst for change. She decided it was time to focus on her well-being. She quit her job and moved to her dream vacation home. She found a new job where she could work from home. She hikes every day. She still works hard, but she’s more productive, healthier and happier. She told me it was because she needed to spend time with nature. After we talked, I read several articles on this topic including one by Steve Taylor, psychology lecturer and the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality. I realized there’s real science behind what my friend discovered. According to Mr. Taylor, “researchers have become aware of a powerful new kind of therapy, which is just as effective against depression as traditional psychotherapy or medication.” He’s referring to ecotherapy, which is contact with nature. Nature helps us to heal and quiet our minds. Taking a walk on a beautiful day and enjoying our surroundings can put us in a better mood.

I hope we both take my advice and become even happier and healthier. My goal is to stop being a hypocrite and practice what I preach by taking more time for me, saying “no” when I need to, and saying yes to MEN – meditation, exercise and nature!