You’ve made it to week three of changing your habits! Yay! You’re now officially more than halfway through. Hopefully you are feeling better physically after drinking more water both weeks, and fueling your body by eating a salad a day the second week. Now it’s time to focus on how we feel emotionally. No, I’m not asking you to talk about your feelings. I’m actually asking you to make time every single day for quiet time in order to decrease any stress in your life.
How Do I Find Quiet Time?
If you’re like me, you may be thinking – I’m too busy for quiet time! Or maybe you find it difficult to simply sit in the quiet without doing something else (same here!). However, I know that daily quiet time is good for calming us down and allowing our brains to rest a bit. I’m a busy mom of three and my youngest is a toddler that doesn’t sleep in, so I don’t have many opportunities for time set aside without noise. So if you’re thinking that you don’t have time for quiet time, I get it. Start with 5 minutes if that’s all you can find, but try to increase it each day this week if you start there. I find that, for me, sometimes quiet time is after the kids go to bed but before I go to sleep. Sometimes, it’s when my youngest is napping and the older two are playing well outside. Very rarely, it’s me waking up before the kids do for some solitude. Whatever the case may be, I try to get about 20 minutes of quiet time at the least each day to help me recharge.
What do I do During Quiet Time?
This is going to change depending on the person, and does not have to be the same thing each day. Choose what sounds the most relaxing to you on that particular day. Here are some ideas:
- Read a book
- Pray the Rosary
- Journal or freewrite
- Meditate
- Sit outside
- Read the Bible
- Stretch
- Draw/Doodle
- Take a Hot Bath
- Planning
- Take a Walk in Nature
I also like to make this time as special as possible, so enjoying your favorite drink (a hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning, or a glass of wine in the evening), lighting an unscented candle, or putting your favorite combo in the diffuser would all add to the relaxing nature of this time.
What Not to Do During Quiet Time
While this is time to yourself, make sure to use it for things that you find are quiet and relaxing in order to give your brain a break. What does that mean? Try to avoid things like:
- Watching TV
- Listening to a Podcast or Audiobook
- Catching up on chores or the laundry
- Cleaning or picking up
- Cooking
Keep this time sacred as your own and do something that makes you feel refreshed and energized when you’re done. This helps you to go through your day with a much better attitude, increased patience, and even more room for creativity and fun! I know when I’ve had a little quiet time, I’m much more open to doing fun activities with my kids (arts and crafts anyone?) than when I haven’t had a single moment to myself throughout the day.
Tell me your ideas for daily quiet time in the comments below. It will be different for each person, so I’d love to see what replenishes your spirit.
As always, check in with me to see how I’m incorporating this habit daily on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love to connect with you there too!
Other Posts in This Series:
How to Read More Books
Every morning I start with reading. I have my diffuser on and enjoy my quiet time. It’s so important for me to start my day in a clear, happy mindset.
Sounds like the perfect combo to me – quiet time, reading, and the diffuser going!
I have been struggling to find quiet time and to use it appropriately. I love your suggestions, especially to read and journal.
I’m so glad you liked the suggestions! Start out small – even literally 5 minutes. You may be amazed how much you can do in 5 minutes (and how much better you’ll feel even in that small amount of time).
Yes. I started getting up an hour earlier in the morning so I could have a little quiet time before starting work. It has made a difference and gives me extra energy to power through the day.
It does make such a big difference! It starts the day off on the right foot.
Good advice here. We all definitely need to find quiet time, which is not that easy these days!
You’re right – it’s not easy, but it makes such a difference in our day to day lives.
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