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Ask someone how they have been, and you’ll often get the reply “busy”. With the stress of juggling work, family, study, relationships, housework and commitments we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life with no time left for ourselves.

We are often so concerned with ensuring everything on our to-do list is done, we forget how important it is to relax and unwind. Such time is important in order to avoid stress, fatigue and burnout. Quality time by yourself helps to maintain healthy emotional well-being and balance.

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So how do we find time to relax? Schedule it into your calendar like you do anything else, plan for it and don’t feel guilty about it. Plan a weekend off several months ahead so you don’t end up filling it with other obligations. Find an afternoon once or twice a month where you can escape to the movies, read a book or walk along the beach – whatever makes you feel re-energised and alive. If you have children organise with friend to have them for the afternoon and swap so you both have scheduled time out.

At the start of each day, pick half an hour when you get to do whatever you want: maybe take a bath, go for a jog or pop into a cafe for coffee. You can find half an hour if you look ahead and schedule for it. Be on the lookout for moments of time that you can enjoy for yourself. Take your lunch to a park bench to eat, arrive early to an appointment, get up earlier in the morning so you have time to yourself before the day begins.