It’s hard to find the time to just sit back… relax… and clear your mind. As the days go by, the harder I find it is to effectively manage my time during the day, so I can have a little “me time.” Between current clients and prospective clients, volunteer activities, my family and friends and just about everything else, it’s hard to find even 5 minutes to just sit in silence.

We need that time. And here’s why…

You’re More Efficient

It’s true…I promise! Give yourself 10 minutes a day away from everything (and I mean EVERYTHING), and you’ll be amazed at how much more productive you are. I’m not talking about plopping down on the couch and turning on the TV…I’m talking about totally tuning out. Turn off your phone, computer, TV…ALL OF IT! If you’ve got kiddos, ask your hubby to watch them for a few… call grandma and grandpa, a family member, close friend, or neighbor.

I recently started doing this, and it’s amazing how much more I get done during the day! Even when we’re sitting in front of the TV or sitting in our favorite spot on the couch skimming Facebook, we’re still distracted. Totally tuning yourself out gives your mind a chance to reset. If you allow yourself that time to just be still and cleanse your mind, you’ll think clearer throughout the day. Think about how much your mind works throughout the day! It needs a break, so give it what it needs, and it will reward you.

Helps You Prioritize

Man or woman, we have about a million things on our to do lists each day that we think we need to get done, but how many of them are truly that important? Allowing yourself some time alone gives you a fresh perspective on life and helps you focus on what’s truly important. Yes, you’re currently working with 5 clients, and you have 5 more that you need to strategize on AND don’t forget about your family, health and all the extracurriculars. Clearing your mind allows you to rid yourself of all that clutter and prioritize what’s most important.

Reduces Your Stress & Anxiety

This is a biggie because taking time for yourself keeps you healthy. If you don’t give yourself a break, stress and anxiety will take over. Having too much stress and anxiety in your life sets you up for a whole other world of problems: risk of high blood pressure, headaches, potential heart problems, loss of appetite…the list goes on and on! Combine all of these issues together, and you’re pretty much a ticking time bomb. Scary isn’t it?! You can’t go 100 miles a minute everyday and expect it not to take a toll on your body.

You’ll Learn A Little More About Yourself

Lastly, and probably what I would consider to be the most important, you’d be surprised at how much you can learn about yourself in just 10 minutes of silence. How you react to certain situations… How you think through problems… Your true thoughts about yourself and the world around you… Taking this time for yourself allows you to separate yourself from the millions of thoughts and opinions running around in your head. You’re able to gain a better picture of who you really are as a person, what you want for yourself and your dreams and aspirations for your future.