How-to Guides: How to efficiently use your ‘’Me Time’’ correctly

What’s a Me time?

So, what’s a Me time? Me time is time that you set aside to be present with yourself, mind, body and spirit. Taking time to care for yourself is vital to maintain your health, happiness, and productivity. 

 

Me time can be spent in a variety of ways; what may feel like “me time” to one person may not feel like “me time” to someone else. For one person, “me time” might be spent in solitude, alone with one’s thoughts and engaging in mindfulness activities. For another, “me time” might be spent in community with friends and loved ones pursuing a hobby.

 

Is it important?

It is a necessity. As the saying goes, “you cannot pour from an empty cup”; similarly, your brain and body need to rest and re-energize in order to serve you well. As little as 5 minutes of “me time” is restorative, but at times, you may find that you require 24 hours or more to reset your mind and body.

 

Steps on efficiently using it:

1. Breathing and Focus

Focusing on your breath is a powerful way to re-establish your mind-body connection when you only have a few minutes. Consciously taking deep breaths in and out allows your body to turn off any stress that has been subconsciously stimulated. This resets your body and mind away from “flight or fight” mode and towards “rest and digest”. 

As you take breaths, focus on different parts of your body. This re-establishes the mind-body connection and restores your spirit.

In fact, establishing a consistent meditation practice will yield positive long-term results such as enhanced memory and ability to focus.

 

2.Unplug

Taking a break from technology is easier than many people make it out to be – it just takes planning. Turn off all notifications on your phone and make sure that a designated person knows how to reach you if an emergency arises. Then, relax. Take the opportunity to indulge in a nap or write in a journal, focusing on that activity alone while maintaining a posture of self-acceptance and self-love.  

 

 

 

 

3. Indulge in a Hobby

Engage in a hobby that brings you joy, whether it’s gardening or shopping, or even drawing. It can be reinvigorating to browse catalogues related to your hobby or to do research related to your interests.