Taking short timeout is great rejuvenator

A few weeks ago I flopped into a chair, stared at my husband, and broke into tears.

He patiently listened while I detailed how high-energy our children are and how low-energy endless and extended summer hours can make me — The Mama — feel.

When I paused for air — about 30 minutes later — my husband said those words every woman wants to hear: "Why don't you take a night out for yourself?"

So I did.

That Friday night I went to my favorite hotel, took a long shower, ordered room service, read uplifting material, scrapbooked until I dropped, and slept in.

I came home a new woman!

When was the last time you had "alone" time? Sometimes we are overloaded and need time to emotionally de-junk and de-stress.

Being by yourself allows you to be more in tune with your gut feelings, intentions and responses.

When you make the shift, you find yourself less impatient, less critical, less apt to jump to conclusions and therefore less inclined to inappropriate guilt.

Consider simple things you can do to be alone, anywhere, anytime.

Go to a favorite mountain spot, your backyard or hole up in a room. Getting lost in a crowd — like a craft class or gym session — is an easy way to be alone without disconnecting with humanity altogether.

Try making a list (you knew this was coming) of things that appeal to you and break them into groups of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, a morning, etc., so when you have that time or feel the need, the ideas for what to do are at hand. For example, my 15-minute category includes lying on the floor while I breathe and visualize a beautiful scene or memory, reading a chapter of a great book, writing a note to a friend, or enjoying a cup of herbal tea with some lemon snap cookies.

It also includes ignoring banging on the bedroom door from well-intentioned children.

Your one-hour category could include sleep, sleep and take a nap. For the less sleep-deprived, your list could perhaps include taking a class to develop a talent, calling someone (not on your to-do list) or baking something yummy and sharing it.

When I returned from my Total Rejuvenating Overnighter to Jumpstart a Non-Juiced Mother, I gave my husband a fabulous smooch, delighted in hearing my children recount every detail of the past 24 hours, and ignored all traumatic whining with ease.

Sharing my finished scrapbooking pages with my family was a bonus.

The experience also gave my children a much needed reminder that mothers need recharging and pampering to keep going, how husbands need to treat their wives as stellar and amazing gifts from the heavens, and just exactly what it's like being with Dad vs. Mom for 24 hours.

This week I encourage you — men and women alike — to create a rejuvenating space for 30 minutes, one hour or more, and see what a little time away can do for you and the ones you love.

e-mail: info@LIFEChangeProgram.com