Stop what you are doing right now and close your eyes. Take 5 deep breaths, slowly breath in and out. Now, do you feel a little better? I’m sitting at my desk wondering how to get it all done before leaving on vacation. The “to do” list is long, the packing of the camper hasn’t started and the tenseness in my shoulders tells me I should practice what I know. Mindfulness helps us be present in the here and now, helping us to block the overwhelming expectations in order to look at what I can best do, at this time, in this place.
According the Bureau of Labor Statistics in their newly released summary “American Time Use Survey” (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm) most of us engage in some sort of leisure activity during the week. Men spend about 6 hours while women spend 5.2 hours each week doing things that help us relax. Some of the activities mentioned were: watching T.V. (2.8 hours), sports activities (1.8 hours) and socializing (43 minutes). The study also mentioned that the older we get, the more time we have to spend in leisure activities, which only makes sense as our children grow older and retirement draws near. Other items of enjoyment were reading, playing games or using a computer.
Think about it
Think about your last week and ask yourself, “What kind of activities have I done for enjoyment?” “What are my leisure activities that help me relax and enjoy time with my family and friends?” If you enjoy reading, playing an instrument, catching up with friends or challenging yourself to keep in shape then now is the time to revisit your summer goals. The year is half over and time is ticking by at a rapid pace for all us. If our focus is only on the “to do” list, might we be encouraged to enjoy the present moments and refocus at least a few of our priorities?
So what’s changed from the beginning of the article to this paragraph? The realization that it will never all be done, and the items that are left will wait until I get back. It’s time to give myself permission to mentally shift focus from work to home and enjoy time with family and friends.
My challenge for you: Examine where your time is spent and the outcome? Eleanor Roosevelt is often credited with this most profound quote: “The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present”.
Author: Melinda Hill, Extension Educator Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension, Wayne County
Reviewed by: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension, Fairfield County
Sources: Mindful Extension
Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm
