What is “Me Time” and How to Use It

Keep a balance that prevents overwhelm, stress, or anxiety from impacting your happiness and well-being. Understanding the importance of “me time” and how to use it will help you combat the stress and pressures of your professional and personal life.

yourfootpalace.com gathered crucial information on “me time” and which activities will promote a more healthy and enriched life.

What is “Me Time”?

Me time is the time you set aside (from work and regular activities) to be wholly present with yourself (mind, body, and spirit). Taking sufficient time to truly care for yourself is crucial to maintain your health, wellness, productivity, and good disposition.

Your mind and body need time to rest and recharge to continue serving you well. As little as 20 to 30 minutes of “me time” is restorative, but there will be periods you require 24 hours or more to fully reset your mind and body. Consider the following activities when defining how much “me time” and when to schedule it:

1. Unplug from Technology

Taking a complete break from technology is easier than you think; planning is the key. Turn off all social media and correspondence notifications on your phone and designate one person who knows how to reach you in case of an emergency. Take the opportunity to indulge in a long nap or find a cozy spot and read a book.

Pick up your book (not your device), then feel and appreciate the book. Pay attention to its pages, and notice its weight and the book’s binding. Being present with things that have weight and substance (not chips and electrical currents) can be energizing and surprisingly refreshing.

2. Indulge In Your Favorite Hobby

Practice a hobby you thoroughly enjoy, whether gardening, painting, shopping, or hiking. It can be refreshing to browse catalogs related to your hobby or to research related topics.

Enroll yourself in adult education classes through university or a supplemental program. You can even choose to participate in an online course in which you can develop a new hobby or learn a new language.

3. Make it a Spa Day

Spend time on your self-care. Create a spa experience at home (take a candlelight bath), give yourself a manicure and pedicure, and use aromatherapy products (candles and incense). As you get lost in the environment you have created, take long, deep breaths while envisioning the warm water, fresh scents, and soothing music whisking away any tension or negativity you may be suppressing.

If this seems too much, make an appointment at a nearby spa and let professionals pamper you for the day.

4. Work on Your Fitness

Exercise can be as simple as going for a brisk walk around the block (cardio), taking a virtual yoga class (meditation), or going to the gym for an exciting aerobics or cycling class.

Tip: Go for a walk early in the morning when the air is crisp and fresh. Be aware of your steps, your surroundings, sounds, and smells. Find your inner peace in the experience.

5. Try Some New Cuisine

Visit a restaurant you have never been to and order something you have never tried. Experience an entirely new cuisine and culture.

6. Turn on the Music

Music can whisk away all your worries. Create a playlist of your favorite relaxing tracks and put it on whenever you feel anxious or stressed.

7. Meditate

Create a peaceful atmosphere by dimming the lights, sitting alone, and focusing on your breathing. Pay attention to your heartbeats. Clear your mind and be present to the thoughts that arise. Understand that you are not your thoughts and finally, let those thoughts go.

8. Go Swimming

Swimming can be incredibly relaxing, particularly in natural (clean and safe) lakes. If you don’t have a lake at your disposal and your only option is a public or community pool, it can still give you all the physical and mental benefits. Play in the water, float around, feel the water, and listen to it as you swim.

You can also use flotation products (air mat or pool tube) and enjoy a simple, relaxing float in the water.

9. Schedule a Massage

A good massage can help you relax, reduce anxiety, ease digestive disorders, dull headaches, resolve sleep issues, and help resolve joint pains. You can go to a spa, ask your partner to give you a full body massage or schedule a couples massage.

10. Write in Your Journal

Writing (pen and paper) can be highly therapeutic. Buy yourself a journal and start writing about whatever is on your mind. Write about things that have been bothering you; write about things you love; write about your past.

Reflect on your writing and how expressing your thoughts (in written form) has given them a different perspective.

11. Go for a Drive

Find a scenic route and go on an extended road trip. Roll down your windows and enjoy the fresh air while admiring the surrounding nature.

Me Time

In this article, you discovered what “me time” is, why it is crucial to one’s health, and several activities you can include in this newfound time of self-discovery and relaxation.

Carving out time for yourself will help you better focus on your most crucial personal and professional choices while helping you remain centered and calm through even the most turbulent times.

Ignoring the need for me time will leave you overly stressed, filled with anxiety, and unable to patiently navigate challenging life experiences.

Sources:
health.harvard.edu/blog/me-time-sounds-good-but-when-exactly-2018020513212
asuonline.asu.edu/newsroom/sun-devil-life/prioritize-me-time/
extension.usu.edu/healthwellness/physical/making-time-for-self-care
socialwork.buffalo.edu/resources/self-care-starter-kit/self-care-assessments-exercises/exercises-and-activities.html