The most regular and heartfelt comment I receive is

“I just don’t have time to do anything for myself”.

This is completely relatable by so many, especially the woman I see on a daily basis who put themselves last and feel guilty even taking half and hour to sit down for a cup of tea. I have been selfish for a long time, so much so that now I honestly don’t see it as being self centred rather it is simply good time management. I not only need to, but simply have to book in time daily for me. Yes busy Mum’s out there you read that correctly, daily. If I do not give myself time every day to meditate, do yoga, go for a walk then I am just not worth being around, I turn into an impatient Mother, a nagging Wife and a very bad Yoga teacher. This has become second nature to me out of necessity due to struggling with depression so severely from the age of 18 that I have now learnt the prescription to my own happiness, and I honestly feel this prescription can help so many of you out there. You don’t need to be depressed or anxious, you just need to know in your heart that you are not fully, completely, wholly happy, to know that you need to make a change. If you get frustrated easily, or angry at small things, if you know that you are not your ‘old’ self and just blame it on life, keep reading. Below I have listed my top 5 tips on taking time out from a very busy schedule for yourself, if you can apply only 1 then do that, it will lead to more.

Remind yourself of this – when you come to the end of this wonderful full life and you look back, what will be your regrets? I know I will never regret not vacuuming the floors or cleaning the windows, rather I want to look back and know with every cell of my body that I lived each day to the best of my ability, that I watched countless beautiful sunrises and breathed in many deep salty air breaths. I want to know that I embarked upon little adventures within my own spirit regularly, that I was a wonderful Mother and Wife and that I took time to, metaphorically and literally, smell the Lotus flowers.

Make an appointment with yourself – daily

1. Get up 15 minutes before everyone else.

I can already hear all the Mums with early rising bubs saying this one is impossible, but what if you fed your baby/kids, made sure they were content and happy and went and sat to close your eyes and breath for 15minutes? The world does not stop, children become used to this being what Mum does and they get on with other things. Just sit, watch your breath, no pressure. If you don’t have kids this one is the best and the most doable, once you start doing this you will never look back, just stick with it for a good 3 months.

2. Go to 1 class you love every week.

Most of us have understanding partners who will help us out, or we can set aside some time during the day when kids are at school/kindy/daycare, or we can get up and do a 6am session before the day starts. There is 1 hour a week when you could take time to move your body in any way you love, just book it in and do it, no excuses and no cancelling.

3. Go for an evening walk.

This does not need to be a fast paced walk, simply step out your front door and walk, as fast or slow as you feel like at the time. You can wear shoes or not, you can take the dog or not, just remember to take deep long full breaths.

4. Do a lead meditation before bed.

There are many app’s and downloadable lead relaxation and meditations, by putting one on in the evening when all is quiet it gives your brain the opportunity to fully rest and your nervous system to switch over to parasympathetic mode. It will give you some space between your thoughts, help you to sleep better and wake feeling more refreshed.

5. Create an at home yoga practice.

This takes a bit more commitment, however over time of watching yoga clip on youtube and going to classes you will know enough to take yourself through a good 20-30min practice. This will change the way you move, it will change the way you look at your body and believe me when I say once you start doing this you will simply find the time to do it regularly as it makes you feel so incredibly alive.

Alicia xxx