Mid-Month Meditation

When was the last time you did something purely for your own pleasure? When was the last time that you were deliciously, happily and healthily self-indulgent? If you can’t even remember the last time you took time out for a candle-lit bath, a massage, or an afternoon browsing through a museum; you may not be taking very good care of yourself.

Women, in particular, are prone to take care of others at the expense of themselves. Not getting enough sleep and not enough ‘me time’ are the most frequent complaints of women, especially women with demanding careers and/or young children.

The unintended consequence of all this giving is a woman who is brittle, feels harassed and who explodes in anger. Giving beyond what’s healthy, too much giving, results in resentment and anger. Taking time for yourself also benefits your loved ones and co-workers too. And if you’re in balance you’ll enjoy your life much more, which is a benefit to everyone whose path you cross.

Here are seven easy steps to get you refreshed and reinvigorated:

Mosey along
There’s nothing cheaper or easier than a long walk alone somewhere beautiful, quiet and safe. Many famous writers from Emerson to Joyce Carol Oates have written about the creative, restorative effects of breathing fresh air as they walk or run along familiar lanes. Even if it’s a stroll through the neighborhood only a few blocks away, if you really focus on what’s in front of you: the leaves, the foliage and the homes in a neat row, you’ll become refreshed. The trick is to not use the time to ruminate over what’s bothering you.

Pound it out
If you already go to the gym, change your routine. Do a 20-minute vigorous cardiovascular exercise. This will give you a real lift in energy and perspective. Make whatever you choose difficult enough that you really have to focus on what you’re doing. While you catch your breath in the shower, you’ll be amazed at how good you feel.

Turn into a puddle
Nothing soothes, refreshes, and relaxes like a professional massage. If you’ve never tried it, you’ll be stunned at how good it makes you feel, like you’ve melted into a pool of warm chocolate. Even if you only can spare 30 minutes, pick up the phone and book an appointment at the closest spa.

Put your mind to it
There isn’t a major medical research center that doesn’t recommend meditation for its restorative properties. Quieting your mind and concentrating on one thing, a repeated word, a repeated prayer, a chant, or even moving water does wonders in even 15 minutes. Every time your mind shifts to your worries or troubles, bring it gently back to quietness. It won’t come naturally at first, but it will do wonders if you keep trying without forcing.

Scribble it out
Give yourself some creative playtime. There isn’t a kindergartener on earth that doesn’t get completely absorbed in scrawling out a picture with a crayon. Go somewhere where you won’t be bothered, take a crayon in your non-dominant hand and scribble. Using your left hand if you’re right handed, or vice versa, makes you use a different part of your brain and lose your unrealistic artistic expectations. Try to enjoy the process for what it is – a simple silly pleasure and be careful not to turn it into an opportunity to beat yourself up about your drawing ability. Even better is finger-painting. The vivid primary colors and wet slipperiness are fun. Even better, it’s very difficult to maintain unfair aesthetic expectations when your fingers are smooshing color around on butcher’s paper.

Disappear headlong into a book
If you’re a reader, go to the library, or if you won’t be bothered at home, curl up in an armchair and get absorbed in a book. Even a few hours reading can feel like a vacation if you’re drained.

Slip away quietly
Steal a half hour from your workday or go home a little bit later, sit in a coffee shop and people watch, eavesdrop and page through a magazine. It’s wonderful what a cup of coffee or cocoa can do if it’s fully enjoyed and appreciated.

Given your interests, schedule and commitments you’ll likely have different ideas about how to take a micro-vacation from your life. Be kind to yourself and not only you but also everyone around you will enjoy the benefits.