Yasmin Davis, a Miami-based realtor, embodies the art of weaving leisure into a fast-paced lifestyle. In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, finding a harmonious balance between work, responsibilities, and personal well-being can often feel like a daunting task. Yet, it is precisely in this balance that we unlock the secret to a healthier, more fulfilling life. In the following article, Yasmin Davis provides insights on how to nurture one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being, all while managing the demands of a bustling lifestyle.
We all know the saying “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” And it’s true! It’s vitally important to find balance by incorporating leisure activities into a busy lifestyle, which creates a healthier, happier overall life. Below, Yasmin Davis explores a few practical strategies and creative ideas to infuse leisure into anyone’s routine, ultimately leading to a healthier, happier, and more balanced individual.
Yasmin Davis Discusses the Benefits of Pursuing Hobbies
There are many physical, emotional, and psychological benefits to the pursuit of leisure activities. They include:
- Reduction of stress
- Increased overall health
- Better mental well-being
- Renewed passion for life (and even work!)
- Improved focus and productivity
- Better sleep
- Boosted creativity
- Increased confidence
Yasmin Davis elaborates and states that hobbies can help people disconnect from work so they will experience less burnout, fatigue, and stress. This can lead to higher productivity and lower rates of procrastination. Total disconnect from work and absorption in a leisure activity is called “mastery” – these experiences are fully engaging, challenging, and interesting. Think chess, archery, or painting – something that takes full, undivided concentration in order to excel.
Those who are beginning to feel overwhelmed at work can begin to feel more in control when pursuing their hobbies, where they have the freedom to choose exactly what they do and when, with little to no regard of whether others find value in what they are doing.
Even binge-watching a heart-pumping TV series or reading a juicy book can be good for you! The stress a person experiences while watching or reading a thrilling story is called “eustress,” a healthy version of stress that keeps people excited about life as opposed to discouraged about it.
Yasmin Davis of Miami emphasizes that stepping outside one’s own thoughts can offer the psychological distance and valuable perspective necessary to confront difficult obstacles and expand one’s identity beyond just their profession.
How to Incorporate More Free Time into Busy Schedules
Yasmin Davis says that those with a hectic, active work life might think they don’t have time to pursue leisure activities. But the truth is that there almost always is enough time – if you are willing to commit and carve out the hours. Just setting aside 20 minutes per day to start can make a huge difference, resetting the brain, relaxing the mind, and helping people get into the pattern of stepping away from the daily grind.
Use a Commitment Device
Drawing on external technology to prompt and reinforce leisure moments can be instrumental in establishing a fresh routine. Set alerts on calendars (such as Google, Apple, or Outlook) to prompt breaks for pursuing activities. Apps like RescueTime help maintain focus on the task at hand. Employ other focus tools like Forest or Cold Turkey Blocker to eliminate distractions, muting alerts on devices, and temporarily blocking time-consuming websites, including social media platforms.
Schedule Activities in Advance
Yasmin Davis explains that one should consider adding leisure activities to their schedule, just as one would do for a work event or meeting – and then stick with it! This time management strategy, called Time Blocking, gets people to totally focus on the task at hand, preventing them from adding other things into the schedule. This is especially important for hobbies and exercise.
Limit and Eliminate Time Wasters
Yasmin Davis of Miami says to take a minute and think about how to spend free time. Consider journaling for a few days to note exactly how you’re spending each hour. After this review, note the personal time wasters – activities that can turn into several minutes or even hours that steal your attention. This can include TV watching or social media scrolling. If an individual catches themselves indulging, they may consider turning off the device and engaging in an activity that holds more meaning for them instead.
In Conclusion
Taking time to pursue leisure activities can have a huge positive impact on one’s physical, emotional, and psychological health. Yasmin Davis of Miami says that by time blocking, setting alerts, and eliminating distractions, individuals can begin making time for the activities that give their life greater meaning.
