As a Woman, The Importance of Having Time for Yourself

Women frequently tend to feel that they have to keep on considering others until everyone else's needs have been attended to. The problem with this philosophy is that there are always chores that need to be done in any home. There is always washing, cooking, cleaning that can be done as well as the husband and children to be looked after. Personal time rarely gets a look in.

Let's have a look at the importance of personal time for a woman:

- Many women value the opportunity to have a few days away at a retreat or a spa. Just having someone else cook, clean, make their bed can be a luxury in itself. Women, especially, appreciate having someone else look after them. And it is often a special time, knowing that their everyday responsibilities are being attended to by someone else for a change. There are women who try to arrange a trip once a year in order to give themselves a break.

- Some women enjoy going away on their own. If they have a stressful job, a demanding family, busy home life, it can be important to have a few days away on one's own. It can be wonderful to get up when they feel like, read a book, go for a walk, have the freedom to completely do what they want for a change. Some retreats provide this type of break, with optional classes, meditation sessions and healthy food.

- A weekend away with the girls provides an opportunity for women to relax together, share problems and also have fun. Chatting about trivia, gossiping, having a facial, manicure or a massage, provides time to do things that women typically enjoy but are often too busy to find time for. Having the opportunity to do these things and take a break is a wonderful way to laugh, cry and feel indulged, all in a guilt-free environment. Even a few days away can completely recharge the batteries and enable a woman to return home feeling invigorated.

- Sharing regular time with other women in valuable time. Many women find support within groups of similar women. Young mothers, business women, women's discussion and networking groups all provide an opportunity for women to meet and discuss areas of common interest. Often though, they are also arenas where women can discuss a variety of different issues and find friendships and support. Connections made at these times can provide a lifeline, especially to new mothers or women feeling a little isolated or new to the area.

- Networking for women is often geared to building relationships first. Women often prefer to know, like and trust someone before they choose to do business together. That way a recommendation can be given with confidence; confidence in the other person's abilities, professionalism and integrity. Women's networking is often very business minded but is about genuine connections rather than simply exchanging business cards with each other.

Having time for yourself is something that many women value and try to use wisely. There are many different ways that women can maximise on their personal time and build good relationships with other like-minded women. Friendships, relationships and personal time are important ways of keeping healthy, balanced and with useful contacts in one's life.

Women are often expected to be the hub of the family. They provide a safe environment, a home, advice and support to all the different members of the family. Susan Leigh is a Counsellor and Hypnotherapist who works with overwhelmed female clients to help them cope with the diverse stresses of their lives, find a way to obtain a better balance in life and achieve a quality of life for themselves.