10 Ways To Fit Fun Into A Busy Day

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10 Ways To Fit Fun Into A Busy Day
By Rachel Rofe
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A lot of us are crazy busy, constantly jumping
from task to task. While it's nice to get a lot
done, the truth is that when were on our
deathbeds, we're not going to care how many to-do
items we checked off.
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Here are 10 ways you can fit in both productivity
AND pleasure in your life 1. Give yourself 15
minutes every morning. If you set 15 minutes
aside for yourself every morning, it sets a great
tone for your day. You'll feel more grounded and
structured. Youll also know that even if the
rest of the day slips away from you, youll have
done something to benefit yourself. Every
morning, just ask yourself what 15-minute
activity will bring you the most pleasure. You
might decide to have a dance break, read a gossip
magazine with a mug of tea, meditate, take a
bath, or go for a walk. Whatever feels good to
you, do it with no judgment.
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2. Schedule pleasure in your calendar. Schedule
in massages, time to connect with friends, or
anything that brings you joy , just like you
would schedule dentist appointments and meetings
with bosses.
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3. Choose a guiding word for the day. Every
morning, choose a word that youd like to feel
for that day. For example, if you decide you want
to feel "ease" in your day, then every time you
don't feel it, ask yourself how you can shape
whatever you're going to through to feel
easeful. It sounds deceivingly simple, but it
works. Very well.
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4. Realize that feeling stressed can actually be
laziness in disguise. I know this is a weird
concept, but the truth is, it's easier to be
go-go-go than to stop and take time for yourself.
It's a lot easier to ride the momentum of being
busy. If you consciously stop and take time to
care for yourself, it requires some upfront work,
but the payoff is more than worth it.
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5. Stop trying to maximize everything. Dont try
to constantly make the most of everything you
do. You don't need to listen to audiobooks or
podcasts on your morning walk. You don't need to
clean while you're on the phone. When you have a
spare minute, you don't have to catch up on
email. Simply stop and enjoy whatever youre
doing. And if you do end up having some spare
time, do something that brings you pleasure.
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6. Create self-care goals. If you respond well to
goals, create some around making time for
yourself. You might set a goal to schedule two
massages this month, go to three yoga classes, or
have five dance breaks.
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7. Make pleasure a nonnegotiable. Just like you
brush your teeth and eat dinner every day, make
pleasure another "have to do" each day.
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8. Work with what you've got. Use whatever your
circumstances are to your advantage. If you have
kids, for example, it can feel really tough to
take time for yourself. Instead of fighting it,
work on doing something that brings you AND your
children pleasure. Ask yourself, "What can we do
so that we both have fun?" You may decide to blow
bubbles together, dance together, color,
finger-paint, play with water guns, make snow
angels, fly kites, or act silly.
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9. Create a pleasure center. Create a go-to
basket or tub full of things that bring you
pleasure that you can keep on hand for any time
you need a dose of feeling good. To get your mind
going, here are some things you can include
bubbles, an iPod full of songs you like,
essential oils, a guilty pleasure book or
magazine, some delicious chocolate, a tea bag, a
comedy DVD, nail polish, a yo-yo, a candle, a
book of yoga stretches, a journal, thank you
cards, punching balloons.
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10. Have a cutoff time for work. Set yourself a
"stop working" time that you adhere to as often
as possible. Make it so that after that time
passes, you do things that you enjoy. This is a
great way to make sure you sleep better (devices
before bed don't do you any favors), and it also
feels like a nice reward you can look forward to
all day.