Is Me Time Important?

How often do you switch off from the world? Do you feel guilty saying no? Do you prioritise other people’s needs over your own? Do you get overwhelmed at the length of your to do list? Do you keep saying to yourself you need a little me time?

If you do you are not alone. We now live in a time that is becoming increasingly fast paced and frenetic everyday with many of us endlessly trying to fulfil an ever-growing list of expectations with computers and mobile phones meaning that we are never out of touch. We are living in a continual state of being switched on!

So! What happens to relaxation and ‘me-time’?

Well it tends to go to the bottom of the list. It is seen by many as a luxury, almost an indulgence, a treat to be enjoyed every now and again.

We can be so busy looking after everyone else that we forget to look after the most important person – ourselves. We prioritise everything and everyone else and do ‘The Swan’, all serene on the surface whilst paddling like mad underneath. If we continue to do this without allowing ourselves any time to recharge and relax then, without even realising it, we start to build stress and tension in our bodies and our heads. If we hold onto this stress we start to suffer from insomnia, headaches, back pain, irritability, indecisiveness, it can feel like the world is closing in on us.

This is time when we need to press the STOP button and give ourselves a much-deserved break. Time to switch off from our day-to-day stresses and do something that calms both the body and the mind and enriches the spirit. The benefits of allowing yourself ‘Me-Time’ are amazing!

• Improves your concentration
• Helps you to feel more in control
• Improves your Sleep
• Relieves Stress and Anxiety
• Changes your perspective
• Gives you renewed energy
• Enhances your feelings of balance and calmness

“Me-Time”

Dedicate some time to doing something that you really enjoy, that enriches your mind, body and spirit and helps you to switch off from the daily demands. It doesn’t have to be a solo activity. For some ‘Me-Time’ might include sharing social activities with friends or loved ones but the important thing is – it is something you want to do.

Here are a few suggestions…

• Having a long soak in the bath
  Light the candles and soak in your favourite bubbles.
• Gardening, Running, Walking
  Time in the fresh air not only helps to reconnect us with nature, it also helps to clear the head, energise the body and refocus the mind.
• Meditation
  Ideal for quietening the mental chatter and leaving your mind clearer and calmer
• Going out for a meal or having a coffee with friends
  Socialising with friends usually leads to laughter and as they say ‘laughter is the best medicine!’
• Reading
  Great way to escape into a world of your own.
• Music
  Whether it’s listening to music or dancing around the room to your favourite records.
• Having a Holistic Treatment
  A perfect way to take time out. It will leave you feeling relaxed, recharged and re-energised.
• Pursue a hobby or do something creative
  Taking time out to do something that you really enjoy is not only fun but can also be very fulfilling. So what would you like to do, play the guitar, knit, write a book or learn to skydive?

OR

• Do absolutely nothing. just give yourself half an hour to chill.

How to get your valuable ‘Me-Time’

The Key to having ‘Me-Time’ is firstly to tell yourself you deserve it and believe it! Then start slowly setting a little me time aside every day. The ideal is to aim for at least half an hour a day just for you. To achieve this here are a few tips…

• Prioritise: Remind yourself daily that you need to give time to your mind, body and spirit
• Commit to giving yourself some ‘Me-Time’ everyday
• Start slowly setting a little ‘Me-Time’ aside everyday
• Don’t be afraid to let others know that you need your own time so you can re-energise
• Learn to say ‘no’ to things that you don’t want or need to do
• Diary your ‘Me-Time’. Find a specific time that is just for you, put it in your diary and make it non-negotiable.

Giving yourself the wonderful gift of ‘Me-Time’ will improve your wellbeing, reduce your stress levels and leave you feeling healthier, happier and ready to take on life’s challenge. So claim your ‘Me-Time’ NOW and reap the benefits. You will be glad that you did!

Tracey Hughes is a fully qualified Holistic Therapist, Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and owner of
The Holistic Retreat. After a successful career in Advertising, Tracey opened The Holistic Retreat
to provide clients with a space to de-stress and recharge.