“I think we would be much better mothers if we gave ourselves personal time without feeling guilty.” – Sarah Blakely, Founder of Spanx
I can hear it now – “What in the world is “Spanx?” I do not consider myself at all to be a betting person, but I am willing to go out on a limb here and guess that if you are asking that question you might just be male. Most of us females, whether or not we have Spanx in our closet, are very familiar with the term!
Getting back to the quote above (although I am not using Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, or President Eisenhower for my quote this week; Ms. Blakely heads a multi-billion-dollar company born from a pair of cut off pantyhose!) I believe this topic to be very timely and considerable.
You may not be a mother, but I am sure you had one, are married to one, related to one – or at least know one! Many of us are/were “working mothers” as well (interesting term huh?) because we held jobs or professions outside our home responsibilities. In addition to the “home and hearth” there are extended family member responsibilities – parties and graduations for nieces and nephews, parents’ and grandparents’ needs, family reunions, holiday planning, etc.
I pondered whether this topic would fit with my general themes of fitness and nutrition and concluded that absolutely the need for personal time is a major component of our health and well-being. Now more than ever, during a hotly contested election season, we need to take time to reflect calmly and refresh ourselves. Time to walk, to participate in a fitness class or even workout at home often seems like taking time away from our families and those who depend on us. Making sure that we, as women, are getting the same nutritional needs met that we determine for our families is vital as well.
Whether women are employed outside the home or not, the energy required taking care of families is monumental. Adequate sleep is another area in which women are sometimes deficient as we continuously place the needs of children, spouse, and other family members ahead of our own. We must make caring for ourselves part of caring for others.
There is much merit in meeting these responsibilities, but the pressure women have experienced to “do it all” can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being. All forms of media play a significant role in this mindset as well. Interestingly, statistics have shown that depression can be closely related to the amount of social media time in which women engage “… messaging aimed at women in the online space simply replicates the offline gender norms that women’s magazines, TV and movies have been preaching for decades and that female consumers have alternately embraced and struggled against.” (forbes.com – J. Maureen Henderson)
Frankly, readers, there is so much research available on the subject of social media use linked to depression that I do not have the space to include the many sources here. Scanning Facebook to find out how perfectly everyone else’s life is progressing may not be the most positive way to spend one’s free time, leaving less time and energy to pursue an active life.
In short, let’s take care of ourselves and we will enjoy the benefits of being more healthy, stable, and happy – and our families will reap the benefits as well. Don’t try to be the queen of organizing, fashion, Facebook, decorating and mothering, all rolled into one neat package, to the exclusion of your own personal time. Take a walk, read a book, talk to friends and family, stretch, lift weights, pet a dog or cat, write in your journal – so many ways to enjoy your personal time without guilt! Breathe deeply and enjoy!
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.