To say that time flies is an understatement. No, it’s not only flying, but moving at lightning speed, waiting for no one and almost mocking all of us as it ticks away. One moment we’re saying “Happy New Year,” and the next moment we’re getting ready to send the kids back to school.
It’s hard.
And it seems like the to-do list never ends – make the lunches, buy cookies for the school bake sale, turn in report to boss, drop off kids at soccer practice, help your eldest with their science fair project, cook dinner, do laundry … how do you make time to get everything done?
More than 93 percent of families in this country requiring a dual income also find it more difficult to achieve a real work-life balance, and 66 percent of those surveyed believe they are only somewhat successful or not successful at all with their time management. “Me Time” gets put on the back burner for the needs of everyone else.
Don’t fret. You’re not alone.
In fact, a recent survey by Safeco Insurance found that more than four in five respondents agree they need an extra hour in the day and 70 percent admitted they would use the extra time to do something for themselves. It’s frightening, but it doesn’t have to be.
These last few weeks of summer are really the best time to re-focus your energy, do what you actually enjoy and reconnect family and friends. Long summer nights provide the perfect opportunity to get much-needed rest and relaxation before the demands of the school year begin.
And to help us achieve these goals, Safeco Insurance is launching the #MY60 campaign to encourage people to take back 60 minutes of their day over a 60-day period. You don’t need some carefully planned Pinterest-inspired activity to do. It’s the simple things in life that often bring us the most joy.
Here are a few ways you can use the hour of your time these next two months:
- SPEND TIME WITH YOUR KIDS – It doesn’t take a stack of money to make memories with your children. Grab one of their favorite books, toss a football in the yard or simply just have a conversation with them about their day, their summer, heck life in general. Grab a snow cone or a slushy during Sonic Happy Hour and enjoy a cool treat.
- READ A BOOK – Your elementary school teachers are still right. Books can take us to faraway places. They allow our imagination, yes even as adults, to be free from the stresses of life.
- COOK…TO ENJOY IT – Before you turn up your nose at the thought of cooking. Consider that dish you pinned weeks ago that you’ve always wanted to try. Use this hour to make a new recipe, bake a cake with friends or maybe just enjoy a glass of wine and slice of cheese. Whatever you do, don’t stress over it.
- SLEEP 8 HOURS AND NOT FEEL ASHAMED – Sure, you sleep 4-5 hours every night, but are you really resting or are you rehearsing everything you have to do the next day, week or potentially year? When was the last time woke up feeling refreshed? Take an extra hour and sleep. Don’t set your alarm clock. Let your body wake up when it’s ready.
- TURN OFF YOUR PHONE – GASP, You read correctly! Turn off your phone – not just airplane mode, swipe, click and disconnect from technology for one hour. Make sure you tell important tell so that no one gets worried when you can’t be reached. Take these 60 minutes away from technology and connect with the people around you. Engage in some of the activities recommended above. We live in a society today where people spend more time liking and less time living. Let’s change that.
- GO ON A WALK – Exercising and connecting with nature? Why not!
If you’re thinking to yourself, “I barely have time to complete the above to-do list. When will I have time to make more time,” you’re already setting yourself up for defeat.
Overeating, withdrawing and becoming angry with others are among the most popular negative behaviors people use to cope with not completing their to-do lists. Who wants to be around that?
They say it only takes 21 days to develop a habit. Moms are pretty amazing people, but just for kicks, Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author of the book “Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days,” says to give yourself one more week.
The #MY60 challenge is just one step is finding true harmony in life. Start this program on the right foot and remove any negative comments that are sure to keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Empower yourself to think “can” and “will” instead of “can’t” and “have to.”
Track how you spend your time for one week and determine which activities are necessary and which “tasks” are optional. Making everything a priority only makes us feel like a failure when we are unable to achieve these tasks. Set yourself up for success and make a realistic schedule of your day.
It’s one hour – 60 minutes out of your day built for you to find true happiness and peace. Take the challenge, take charge of time and enter the next half of the year ready to be productive instead of dreading what lies ahead.
For more information or to find tips on how you can do more in an hour, visit www.safeco.com/MY60.
If I had an extra hour I would probably sleep LOL. Or maybe spend time with my kids.
If I had an extra hour, I would SLEEP! I miss sleep…
If I had an extra hour in the day, I would spend it all on beauty time for myself. I never have me time!
Being pregnant and in the third trimester, I would for sure have to say sleep!!! It is something I would love to have a little more of!
I would probably try to exercise (TRY LOL) I am trying to find enough time in the day to exercise. Otherwise I might draw a little too.
At this point, I can say that I would sleep with an extra hour. I’m always doing something or working on something. A little extra sleep would be great.
I would have to sleep or spend time with my kids if I was able to get an extra hour of sleep in my day!
If it was an extra hour at night I would sleep! My baby wakes me up in the middle of the night, an extra hour would help!
Oh man, if I had an extra hour int eh day, I would spend it relaxing in a nice bubble bath with a great book! This poor pregnant mama is getting so sore the closer to my due date! Definitely would spend it on myself since I am always doing for everyone else all day long.
If that extra hour was today I would probably take a nap! But on any other day I would probably take some time to focus on hobbies I love!
I really should take this challenge. I bet it would be enlightening. I’d love an extra hour in my day – oh the things I could accomplish… but I’d probably nap since my baby still wakes up 3 times each night and I’m so tired.
Sleep! okay so i’m sure i wouldn’t sleep but i Sure could use a bit more sleep.
I like all your ideas. Sleep would be nice!
Oh yes! I would love to have another hour. I would get all the things done that I did not get done yesterday! lol
I would like an extra 5 hours in my day. haha Along with the motivation to spend at least one hour exercising.
I routinely wish for that extra hour. I would work while watching Real Housewives with a cup of coffee in complete silence. Can you tell I both have kids and have daydreamed about this very thing?
Maybe take an actual uninterrupted shower. It’s been forever. I could stay in there for an hour if I could keep the water hot
It would only be an extra hour of work for me. I don’t think I could ever get caught up enough to enjoy that extra hour. I know it sounds bad, but that’s the way life is sometimes.
I would love an extra hour a day. I would use it to get more sleep. I feel like i never get enough sleep.
There are so many possibilities i could do with an extra hour. I would use it to get caught up on my housework.
If I had an extra hour in my day, sadly, I would probably spend it sleeping in! I would like to say I would use it to exercise, but who am I fooling?!
I would use the extra hour to tackle my to-do list. Rarely to I Igo to sleep at night with it all done.