The gift of time: With

THE GIFT OF TIME

By Caroline Hurley I.I.H.H.T. ART(Reg) WELLBEING PRACTITIONER AT BECALMED SPA AND HEALTHWELL CLINIC

This very strange year has slipped past very quickly. Many people have had their stress levels escalated not only by the pandemic but by feelings of responsibility and duty to the other people in their lives. Some have found their stress has built up from taking on too many responsibilities. With this in mind, it is important to balance our responsibilities with our own needs and health to avoid mental and physical exhaustion. I have been inspired by a poem by S.C. Lourie of ‘Butterflies and Pebbles’: “Go into this week with the attitude that your peace, your health of mind, and your heart mean more than getting everything else done. That your smile matters. That feeling rested matters. That holding the hand of your loved ones matter. So, pause lots, function at a pace that doesn’t pull you apart. Honour the things that make you feel good inside, the things that make you feel alive. Give time to those things this week. Make time the gift it is, by giving it to what really matters to you.”

What can you do?

First, make room for what you truly value. Learn how to say no to the less important things and delegate where you can. Second, take some vital time out for yourself. Perhaps a walk, lighting an aromatherapy candle, enjoying a book over a cup of coffee. Sometimes it is the simple things that are most effective. Have you tried Progressive Massage Relaxation (PMR)? Experts believe PMR works because it helps to relieve muscle tension that comes about as a reaction to fear or anxiety. This often results in muscle aches or pains, backaches, and tension headaches. This simple technique can help with insomnia, improve blood sugar levels, IBS and other stress-related problems. If you go to yoga or pilates classes, this technique will be familiar as it is carried out at the end of each session. It involves going through all the main muscles in your body, tensing and relaxing them. As this is a great tool to help you fall asleep, I recommend you do this whilst lying down! If you find this difficult, then maybe it is time to step off the treadmill and enjoy the benefits of a spa treatment where you can relax and recharge your batteries in peaceful surroundings. A popular choice if you are short on time is an Indian Head Massage. It aids in the relief of migraines, insomnia and fatigue, eases symptoms of anxiety and depression, renews energy levels and boosts memory capabilities. What better way to recharge your batteries? Whichever way you choose to help yourself, giving yourself the gift of time may be the most important gift you buy this year.

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