The Importance of ‘Me Time’
Life can get busy. Between work, family, and other obligations, finding time for yourself often falls to the bottom of the priority list. However, taking time for ‘me time’ is crucial for your mental, emotional, and even physical health.
Benefits of Me Time
Setting aside time for yourself on a regular basis provides many benefits, including:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased happiness and life satisfaction
- Improved focus and productivity
- Enhanced self-awareness and self-care
- More energy for other areas of life
Simple Ways to Add Me Time
You don’t need to book a vacation or have hours available to benefit from me time. Even small pockets of personal time can make a difference. Try these ideas:
- Take 5-10 minutes in the morning for journaling, meditation or stretching
- Listen to a podcast or favorite music on your commute
- Go for a walk or exercise by yourself
- Spend time outdoors in nature
- Enjoy a quiet cup of tea or coffee
- Read a book before bed
Creating Boundaries
The most challenging part of making me time is actually taking it. It’s easy to keep pushing it off or let others encroach on that time. Set firm boundaries so you can protect and benefit from that time.
- Mark it on your calendar so you schedule it like other appointments
- Let family/friends know it’s your personal time and that you are unavailable
- Turn off notifications on your devices and avoid distractions
- Start small if needed, like 15-20 minutes at a time
Making Self-Care a Priority
Viewing me time as self-care and making it a priority is key. Your mental, emotional and physical health depend on it. Without taking time to recharge your own batteries, you have less energy for all other areas of life.
Commit to consistency, whether it’s morning meditation, a lunchtime walk or evening reading. Purposeful alone time should be part of your regular routine, not just a rare luxury.