It’s always easy to talk about ‘me time’ or self care. Whether you’re a parent or not, taking time for yourself, to give yourself space to enjoy your hobbies, or quiet time, or take care of your mental and physical health, is so very important. However, while talking about self care is easy, actually making the time seems harder.
Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves to find calm and joy in the little things. We need to take time to give to ourselves and feed the parts of us that make us happy, even though we feel the to-do list at home is stretching longer and longer. This is a priority. We think we can’t take the time, or shouldn’t. Or because of stress and mounting pressures, we aren’t seeing opportunities in front of us.
Personally, I am very conscious of how I need to make time to re-energize. I indulge in bubble baths, and long reading sessions on the couch or make a hot cup of tea and enjoy it in silence. I am not as good at taking care of my physical self. I love tennis and yoga and kayaking but don’t fit those things into my schedule nearly often enough.
Even when we are driving, we have an opportunity to focus on our well being. Having a vehicle that is fun to drive, comfortable, has the features we are looking for and so on, all work together to help ensure a drive that is relaxing. Driving is stressful enough, we don’t need the inside of our vehicle being hectic too.
It was exciting when in September I was invited by Ford Canada to attend a wellness retreat and really focus on self care and our well being. It made me realize that the car doesn’t have to be a place of stress and lack of comfort, but that it can be a relaxing escape on short or long trips (both of which we do often).
During the two days, we were treated to a spa experience, delicious food (at Chateau Montebello, it’s always delicious and relaxing!) as well as a hike and yoga. Remember how I said I don’t take care of myself physically enough? This was just what I needed. Plus, we were able to drive some exciting new vehicles from Ford Canada.
We happen to be driving a Ford Escape already as a family, so I was familiar with certain features, but some vehicles now have a massage function, and the seats offer great support. When we got our new Escape a few weeks ago, I knew I was going to be happy. I really enjoy driving it (the Ford Sync technology and Apple Car Play features are amazing).
The weekend away with Ford Canada was perfectly timed. We had just begun the new school year and I was really struggling with balancing our new sleep schedules with school and work. I needed these moments to remind myself to breath.
It was a wonderful opportunity to also remind myself that I can find those moments without a weekend away. That the cup of tea in the middle of the day, or the music that I select when driving to a meeting can help me find calm which I know leads to a much happier, healthy self.
Have you considered how you can make your drive more comfortable and relaxing? Or how you can fit in more time to focus on your own well being? Now is the time to really examine it.
Thanks Ford Canada for inviting me along!
Disclosure: I was invited to participate with Ford Canada for this event and all expenses were paid. All opinions are my own.
I have been doing yoga weekly for 6 months now and it’s made such a difference in my life. It’s not really about the flexibility so much (that’s a long slow road for me) but knowing that I’m regularly doing something just for me has become such an important part of self care.