Vacations are important – especially in the real world. We’re overloaded with constant stimulation at work, at home, with our friends and with our family – and sometimes it becomes too much. The thing is, most of us can’t realistically go on vacation every time we feel stressed, so we end up being stressed for most of the year.
This is where taking time for yourself becomes important. I don’t mean vegging out and watching TV, or going out with friends, or hanging with family. I mean real serious rebooting where you are connecting back with yourself. Where you consciously put yourself on the top of the priority list, and where you make a plan to reconnect with you. This could mean meditating, taking a bath, getting a mani/pedi, reading a book, or anything else you love to do solo. It’s important in getting to know yourself.
Sometimes we get so busy in the world of work/play and in maintaining relationships with others that we forget about the relationship with our self. And the truth is, just like how you have to work to keep the relationship alive with friends, you have to work to keep the relationship alive with yourself.
One thing that I sometimes prescribe to patients is a 30 day happiness challenge. Every day, you have to do one thing that makes you happy. Whether that means buying yourself a gift, taking a bath, enjoying the view from your window for 30 seconds – whatever it is that makes you happy! This forces you to do something for yourself, and believe me, it is powerful.
When you put yourself high on your priority list, you feel more energized, relaxed, and able to give more to your friends and family.
Dr. Rahim Kanji is a Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Toronto. He has a passion for evidence-based natural medicine, specifically empowering his patients to make nutritional changes which have dramatic impact on their health. Although Dr. Kanji operates a general family practice, he has a focus on digestive health. Ultimately, his goal is to help patients feel better, work better and live better. Follow him on Twitter.
