After what feels like a fairly long and consistently good summer, autumn has arrived and it’s here to stay.  Whilst there is still some warmth in the afternoon sun, there is that definite nip in the air first thing in the morning.  The changing season is even more apparent on my morning walk in the woods with Millie (my gorgeous 7-month-old sprocker) The once lush, dense woodland is looking more barren as the leaves fall off the trees, leaving a blanket of copper, red, yellow and orange leaves.

I love this time of year. I embrace the change in season and see it as a time of transformation and growth.

But in my conversations with friends and clients there seems to be a common theme of feeling overly stressed due to the daily demands of life coupled with low energy and the need for more sleep.  The mornings certainly are darker and with the cooler temperatures I know that I’m not exactly springing out of bed.

So what do you do to combat this?

Who is guilty of not making time for themselves?

When we are busy, it’s very easy to put our needs last – “I just don’t have the time to book myself in for a treatment” – but in reality this is the perfect time to find some “me time”

The busier we are, the greater our need to relax and recharge our batteries before we find ourselves running on empty.  If we don’t, before long we’ll have succumbed to the coughs and colds that have already started doing the rounds.

Finding the time to have a regular reflexology or massage treatment shouldn’t be seen as something that is indulgent.  So often I hear the word “treat”. “I should treat myself but….”  Since when was looking after yourself viewed as being a “treat”?

Why is it that we experience feelings of guilt in taking time out for ourselves?  If we don’t take care of ourselves, how can we keep on giving and looking after others?

You owe it to yourself to look after your health.  So commit to booking that reflexology appointment that you haven’t quite got around to doing and make it part of your monthly routine.

Your monthly MOT

You find the time to take your car for its MOT, so why wouldn’t you take care of your body?  Your car is replaceable, good health isn’t!

So I challenge you to take control of your health and book yourself a monthly treatment.

I promise you that you will feel much more relaxed for taking some much-deserved time out, and this in turn will affect all areas of your life.

If you still need some further persuasion, just look at some of the benefits:

  • Increased relaxation will boost your immunity, decreasing your susceptibility to colds, sore throat and flu. A definite must at this time of year!
  • It will improve your sleep patterns, resulting in better memory, concentration and efficiency. That should make day-to-day life much easier.
  • It will allow a feeling of greater control, so that you will be able to cope with the demands of motherhood, husbands/partners and work commitments.
  • It will give you a feeling of improved mood and wellbeing. Everyone will see and feel the benefit of this!

Make yourself a priority

As a therapist I know the importance of looking after myself.  I make sure that once a month I have facial reflexology and a massage as I know how much better I look and feel when I invest the time in myself.

You can read more about the treatments I offer by visiting the Therapies section of my website.

I’d love to hear from you!  How do you take time out to ensure that you look after your mind, body and soul?