How ‘me time’ Can Help

Often with busy lives we can end up prioritising doing things for others, and neglect to do things for ourselves. Sometimes it may seem appropriate to put someone else before you, which is ok. However, if you do not take time to do things for yourself, especially time to do things you enjoy, to relax, socialise and possibly exercise, then this can increase your stress levels. This is why taking some ‘me time’ to do things for yourself is important and should be a priority for you. You should be the star player in your team, and your needs should be prioritised, in order to function at your best. Taking some ‘me time’ regularly, for a few days a week for example, can help to reduce your stress levels, help you to relax, recharge your batteries and help you to reconnect with yourself. Your body and mind are connected, so as you relax your mind you also relax your body and vice versa. Our bodies have way’s to send us signals, such as tension, and aches and pains, or recurring thoughts for example, however these signals often go ignored as we continue to fulfil our other commitments. If ignored for too long, then this can have a detrimental effect on our health and wellbeing.

 

Great ideas for ‘me time’ are:

Go for a walk – Walking is a great way to get some ‘me time’ and exercise at the same time. Also if you can, go for a walk in nature, which will amplify the benefits. This will also help to reduce your stress levels.

Have a bath – Running yourself a warm bath and soaking for about 20 minutes can help you reconnect with yourself, and bring a sense of relaxation, especially when aromatherapy is used. A few drops of lavender, sage or ylang ylang can be beneficial.

Write a journal – Getting yourself a nice notebook and pen, and taking some time when you wake up or before you go to sleep, is a great way to bring clarity to your thoughts, put things in perspective and help you to relax.

Watch a movie – Taking some time out to watch a movie can be a great way to relax and unwind, and help improve your focus.

Take a nap – Napping for even just 10 minutes can help you switch off and recharge your batteries. Aim to nap for no more than 30 minutes as this can make you feel too sleepy, groggier and more fatigued then you did before, due to sleep inertia.

Get a massage – A massage can be greatly beneficial to relieve tension, help you detox and help you to relax, as well as reduce your stress levels. After a massage you should feel the benefits for quite some time, such as improved sleep, better mood, less aches and pains, improved circulation and feeling recharged.

Enjoy the silence – Find somewhere quiet where you can sit or lie down, without interruption for at least 10 minutes, this means putting your phone or other tech on silent, and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet for a while, which can help to relax your mind and body.

Read a book or magazine – Taking some time to have a read of something you enjoy can reduce your stress levels and help you to relax, and you can also gain some knowledge at the same time, so win win.

Look for a new outfit – A new outfit can help you to not only look great but also feel great and the process of finding something or window shopping, can also help you to work out what works for you or what doesn’t and can also help you to relax.

Do some colouring in – Colouring in books are becoming an increasingly popular and beneficial way to relax and unwind, and has also been shown to help people with anxiety and depression.

Be creative – Doing something creative can activate various parts of the brain that often do not get used in day to day life and can improve wellbeing and mental health, reduce stress and be fun to do. Things such as creative writing, making or listening to music, writing poetry, spending time in nature while creating, dancing and photography are great ways to be creative.

Catch up with family or friends – Having a catch up with family or friends can be beneficial to help you to relax and reduce your stress. And it can also be fun to do. Having a catch up over the phone, meeting for a meal, or going for a walk are some good ways to have a catch up.

Meditate – Meditation is a fantastic way to have some ‘me time’ and help you reconnect with yourself, relax, reduce stress and build a resilience to stressful situations, improve your mood as well as your memory, and improve your sleep quality and duration, there is a guided meditation below that you can listen to online or you can purchase via the shop to listen to whenever you like.

 

Hope this article has helped you to understand why having regular ‘me time’ is important for your health and wellbeing, along with learning some great ideas for some ‘me time’.

Take care and enjoy the journey!

Healution