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The secret to a happy life with "two hours for yourself"

According to VnExpress November 8, 2023 18:46

Taking two hours a day for yourself, without letting anything else get in the way, can improve your mental health and increase your life satisfaction and happiness.

Research conducted by social research organization OnePoll in September 2023 showed that 52% of Britons said they "did not have the conditions to spend more than an hour alone, at least three days a week".

Respondents aged 25-34 admitted that work often encroaches on personal time, especially among the younger generation. 25% said they respond to work emails outside of normal working hours at least five days a week. In the survey, 30% of millennials were found to be exhausted, with burnout levels rising from 45% to 49% from last year to this year.

Chloe Brotheridge, clinical psychotherapist and host of the Calmer You Podcast (UK), says taking time for yourself is essential and has many positive benefits.

Other studies have also shown the benefits of spending two hours a day doing something you enjoy, which can improve your mood, increase your life satisfaction and happiness.

Chloe points out that more and more people are finding it difficult to balance work, family life, social life and hobbies. Two hours a day for yourself acts as a reset button, reducing stress levels, increasing focus, preventing burnout and enjoying life.

Taking time for yourself can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, and slows down aging and the risk of many diseases. These two hours make you a better friend, parent, and co-worker.

How to use two hours for yourself?

Spend an hour full of energy:Waking up a little earlier can help you get your day started on the right foot. The quiet early hours of the day can be the perfect time to focus on yourself and be less distracted. Use this time to meditate, read a book, or take an online exercise class.

Make time for yourself:Consider this time sacred and you can do whatever you like, for example watch the latest music show or pursue personal hobbies like playing games or drawing.

Relax on the go:Instead of answering emails on the bus ride home from work, you can enjoy a few episodes of your favorite series to end your work day and return home feeling relaxed.

Pomodoro Technique:This time management method involves breaking down your work into 25-minute intervals, using a timer and focusing solely on the task, followed by a short break. This can help you work more efficiently, so that work doesn't spill over into your free time and you can relax in the evening.

Set boundaries:Many of us have trouble saying “no” and end up taking on too much. Learning to say no to inappropriate tasks is a way to prioritize your time.

According to VnExpress
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The secret to a happy life with "two hours for yourself"