Most of us, these days, if we are honest, could relax more. Life today so often feels like a never-ending chore list. We have so many things to juggle, from work tasks to home chores to looking after kids, pets and parents. We need a break. We need a lighter load. We need to make relaxation a bigger focus in life. Here’s how to do all that and more.
Banish the Busywork
Let’s face it: sometimes our to-do lists look more complicated than a NASA mission plan. The truth is, half that list might not even need you at all. Instead of doing everything yourself, see if you can automate, delegate, or delete tasks that don’t really matter. Your weekly coffee date with your grandma? Definitely matters. Sorting the spice rack by alphabetical order? Maybe not. Freeing up even an hour or two each week can be a game-changer for your sanity.
Make “Me Time” an Actual Thing
When was the last time you did something purely for yourself? And no, scrolling through your social media feed while standing in the grocery line doesn’t count. Schedule a regular date with yourself—maybe a yoga class, a relaxing walk, or even half an hour to doodle in a journal. The key is to treat it like a real appointment rather than something you can skip when life gets hectic. If you wouldn’t cancel on a friend last-minute (well, unless they deserved it), don’t cancel on yourself either.
Outsource the Everyday
If your evenings are consumed by chores, consider paying someone else to handle the grunt work—at least once in a while. Hiring a cleaning service or using a meal kit subscription might feel extravagant, but think of the hours you’ll reclaim. And hey, ordering dinner is as simple as typing “restaurants near me pizza delivery” into your phone’s search bar. Sure, your bank account might grumble a bit, but your mental health will thank you. Life is short—sometimes it’s worth spending a few bucks to avoid washing dishes yet again.
Declutter Your Space to Declutter Your Brain
Ever notice how your mood lifts when you finally clean out that chaotic drawer that’s been taunting you for months? Physical clutter can weigh on your mind more than you’d think. Try dedicating one weekend (or a couple of spare evenings) to a top-to-bottom declutter session. Donate or toss items you don’t need, then organize what’s left so you can actually find it without summoning a search party. It may sound like adulting at its finest, but living in a cleaner environment does wonders for your state of mind—and hey, you won’t trip over random junk in the middle of the night anymore.
Guard Your Downtime Like a Dragon
Whether it’s your evenings, weekends, or precious lunch breaks, protect your downtime fiercely. It’s easy to let errands or work creep into every spare minute. But if you don’t give yourself room to breathe, eventually you’ll be too burnt out to function. Shut off your email alerts, power down your laptop, and let your phone’s battery embrace the sweet relief of zero percent once in a while. A balanced life means giving yourself permission to do absolutely nothing on occasion—and feeling zero guilt about it.
….and relax!