Prioritise “Me Time”, you deserve it…

I visited my doctor last week for a general checkup as I was experiencing fatigue. He looked at me and, while examining, asked me a simple question. “What do you like to do for fun?” I looked at the doctor and he repeated his question. It took me a while to answer the question, but it was an eye-opener for me. I didn’t have the answer to his question.

Somewhere in building an ideal life, an ideal workplace, a perfect house and a perfect family, I lost my way.

 Are you guilty of spending time with yourself?

Whether you’re single, married or in a relationship, the demands of life and the expectations of those near and dear to your heart can make finding time for yourself a huge challenge.

Balancing in between all of them and stealing some time out can be beneficial and refreshing that you might not even realise.  

Some people, particularly women, feel guilty about taking time for themselves. They see themselves as the one who should be taking care of everyone else, and their needs often fall by the wayside.

However, taking care of yourself is something you should never feel guilty about. It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself and make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.

How to get some quality “Me” time?

No matter whether you are male or female. We all need a break and unapologetic “Me” time…

Sometimes it can be difficult to take basic care of ourselves. However, there are small things that can be done to make self-care and taking time for ourselves a little bit easier.

1. Some secret time

Start your day early. When everyone is asleep, try to get that secret half an hour with just yourself. Maybe a walk in the park, sipping coffee in your garden, listening to your favourite music, some stretching or meditating. Whatever soothes you. This will enrich your day and leave you fresh all day.

 2. Switch off

Start by giving yourself an hour free from the phone, social media, or Netflix every day. It is far more beneficial to spend even half an hour, completely and utterly to yourself, unwinding in whatever way you enjoy best.

3. Learn to say NO

This is your “Me” time, which is very precious. Unless there is an emergency, everything else can wait. Use the golden word No Learn to fill your cup before pouring from it.

 4. Set your boundaries

Set up your “Me” time. It can be daily, once a week or twice a week or fortnightly, depending on you. Stick to it, do not interchange it with the office tasks and household chores.

 5. Read or Write

If you are an avid reader, then pick up a book and sit with a coffee and just enjoy reading. Otherwise, write a journal or a diary entry and just pour out those thoughts. Trust me, it is very therapeutic.

 6. Date yourself

A date doesn’t have to be with other people. Spend time shopping or for coffee or maybe have a drink. Spending time with yourself can be soulful. No one disagrees with you and you have time to self-introspect.

 7. Catch up with your buddy.

For me, this always works. Just you and your best friend having fun together. It can be just coffee, drinks or even a movie. If you really have one true friend, half the battle is won.

 Spending time with yourself has many advantages. Many studies have indicated that stress can speed up the ageing process, harm your sleep and weaken your body’s immune system.

Some Benefits of “ME” Time

• Helps your mind and body sync
• Reduces stress
• Increases productivity
• More confidence
• Better sleep
•  Good Health
• Self-Discovery 

If you’re used to putting everyone else first, it can be difficult to take time for yourself in the beginning. But as you practice this skill, it’ll become more and more comfortable for you.

So, give yourself a gift … time for yourself.