When you work all day, or look after your children or care for a relative, as well as having to deal with the day to day chores of cooking, cleaning, shopping, paying bills, getting the car fixed, taking the dog for a walk, etc, etc, etc, it seems like you can never fit in anytime for you.

The hardest thing to do is to find a chunk of time in your day just to have a bit of “Me time”. At Peak, we completely get this – we understand the usual stresses and strains of running a business, working full time, doing the day to day household bits, looking after children and balancing a work-family life. One thing we have discovered (and fully appreciate and respect) is the importance of investing in your health and having some much needed and much deserved “Me time”.

By this, we don’t always mean having the time to workout – believe it or not, we don’t get to do this every day either. But having even half an hour down time to reflect on your day, or plan the day ahead can make a huge difference. Whether this is a brisk walk outside to get some fresh air, having a long soak in a hot bath, or having a glass of wine, reading a few chapters of a good book, or putting on an episode of your favourite TV series, it is important to set aside just half an hour each day to do something you enjoy which can help recharge your batteries. How are you meant to function if you are continuously doing all of the above for others, if you do not spend some time focussing on yourself? Doing the things that you enjoy, even for a short amount of time, means that you can help reduce stress levels, improve sleep and improve your immune system (which makes you less susceptible to picking up those nasty winter bugs).

One of the reasons people stop going to the gym, is a lack of time. Often, if we want to do something bad enough, we will try hard to fit in the time. Going to the gym and letting off steam is a great stress reliever (and if your workout is hard enough, 30-45 minutes is all you really need). Once you are done, you will feel revitalised and energised and ready to get on with your day. By planning ahead and setting aside and hour twice a week where you go to the gym for your “You” time, means you are more likely to go if you have prepared yourself into going on certain days for an allocated amount time.

If the gym really isn’t for you, we have at home workout programs that you can do in just half an hour. So when the kids are in bed, get your workout gear on, pop on your favourite TV programme and get those feel good endorphins flowing in the comfort of your own home. Whatever it is you enjoy, find the time to do it and make yourself feel good.

And if that doesn’t float your boat either, a good long walk and a nice hot, strong coffee usually does the trick (with a cheeky treat thrown in for good measure!).