Quiet Time is Good for Your Soul

Quiet time is truly underrated. Having time alone in silence can be rejuvenating. It helps you think and clear your head. In today's world, it's a retreat away from the distractions of everyday life. One of my favorite things to do is to sit alone and sip my coffee in the morning as I mentally prepare for the day. It's usually just a few minutes, but those minutes matter.

In our ever-growing busy society, it's easy to think of quietness as something boring, but it's unhealthy to go about your day without taking mental and physical breaks. Self-care is important. It's necessary to take breaks for yourself and recharge.

Since the pandemic started, a lot of people have been working from home, and if you're also parents, you're sharing the home workspace with your kids. Not only has that changed the amount of space at home, but also the availability of it (meetings, classes, etc), levels of noise, and dynamics (work and home responsibilities can overlap). All this can be taxing on your well-being, and while things are slowly getting better, it's important to integrate breaks for yourself during your daily routine.

There are many ways to give yourself some quiet time. You can take a short walk outside. If you can do quick nature hike, I highly recommend it. If you're commuting, you can sit in the car for a couple of minutes before leaving and meditate for a moment. If you arrive to work a few minutes early, don't rush to get in, use those minutes for yourself. You can play one of your favorite songs before going in. You can be as creative as you want. One of my friends said that she needed some time alone from the commotion in her household, and I told her that one option is to order takeout for dinner from a restaurant a couple cities away and pick it up by herself. That way, she gets some time to herself and mentally unwind (although the plan isn't perfect since she might be in traffic).

So if you can, give yourself a little more quiet time today, tomorrow, this week, next week, and so on. Make it a priority. You're well-being is worth it.

Roderick Conwi writes about personal and professional development at Nourishment Notes. He is also the author of The Procrastinator's Quick Guide To Getting It Done. To get powerful insights to enhance your day, join his FREE newsletter.