Before you begin reading this article, take a few moments, and assess how your day has been. Do not be guilty, do not be judgmental about how your day went. Just allow a quick and simple ‘run-down’ of what went through your day and the feelings that crop up. Ready? … Done? Good, let’s begin. *we will explain the reason for this at the end of the article, so keep reading.
If you’ve been a regular reader of FYFG’s blog articles, or follow our FYFG FB Page link here, you’ll likely notice that Environment/Self-Care is one of our key points in the F.I.E.R.C.E framework of our wellness program. #FYFGEnvironement. As the article title suggests — ME-TIME has its purpose to our wellbeing.
What is Me-Time?
The Oxford Dictionary defines Me-Time as:
“Time spent relaxing on one’s own as opposed to working or doing things for others, seen as an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy.”
The term also is synonymous with Self-Care, that one cannot adequately take on the problems of others without taking care of oneself.
Today, as women, we find it increasingly difficult to find the time that is exclusively ours, a time which is not encroached upon by the non-stop demands of work and family. Me-Time is when one can put oneself first and do something that is particularly enjoyable to aid relaxation and revitalization. Yet oftentimes, Me-Time becomes a ‘guilty pleasure’, and many, especially wives and mothers, unconsciously label Me-Time as such.
Me-time can be anything done for a period of time that helps rejuvenate — from an hour in the salon or spa or reading a book, baking/ cooking with no pressure to feed the family, walking outdoors for fresh air. Gardening, Exercise, and even Naps are also considered as Me-Time.
*A little trivia: In the United States, 28th March is declared to be national Me-Time Day, since 2003.
5 Reasons Why Me-Time Boosts Wellbeing
Here in FYFG, we believe that taking time out for yourself is not a luxury or guilty pleasure, but a necessity to our wellness. Therefore, in this light, here are 5 reasons why ME TIME is beneficial.
- Establishes Mindfulness. Mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally”, as defined by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School on stress reduction. Being mindful gives a calm perspective on situations rather than knee-jerk emotions and judgments. Practicing Me-Time helps strengthen the ability to being present, always.
- Reboots Our Brains. Disconnecting or removing ourselves for the regular and daily routine of work or home life activity is like giving ourselves a ‘mini-vacation’. We’ve all had vacations and we surely return feeling refreshed and rejuvenated from the trip. The same effect here. Taking these ‘mini-vacations’ gives us back our natural balance, improves focus, creativity, renewed energy.
- Builds Positive Energy and Self-Worth. Allowing time to do what you want serves ‘good vibes’ to our brain, thus boosting our feel-good hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is our positive booster to our bodies. When we feel good about what we do, and how we feel, we feel better about ourselves. Our self-worth and confidence naturally increase.
- Reduces Stress. Me-time that physiologically helps reduce stress is meditation, sleep, massage. However, reducing stress isn’t limited to these types. The mere fact that your brain is at rest and you are enjoying yourself, is in itself a stress reliever. The stress hormone called Cortisol is reduced by simply taking ourselves away from any stress factor.
- Gives New Perspective. Because we refocus on ourselves during Me-Time, we are better aware of our priorities and what matters most. We begin to achieve the things we wanted to do, and this becomes an inspiration to others. We may learn new things, new hobbies, and even self-discoveries. Another plus side of seeing things in a different light, it aids in problem-solving.
Real Life Me-Time
Coach Mia has a wonderful short video on how she spends her Me-Time and what she enjoys most. She shares some tips that we hope will inspire you to find your own Me-Time.
Imagine If
So now that you’ve read 5 reasons why Me-Time/ Self-Care benefits you, we’d like you to go back to our request: assess how your day has been, and ask yourself these 3 questions:
- Did I spend at least 15 minutes doing what I really wanted to do for myself (and not for others)?
- How did I feel after doing it?
- How was I towards myself and/or others after having Me-Time?
Imagine if you could do this every day, do you think doing this daily activity will have a good lasting effect on you? And if today didn’t have any of the Me-Time, don’t you think it would be good to have to pencil it into your daily schedule?
We certainly agree with the airline business in their ‘oxygen mask’ advice — ‘put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others’. It should not be a ‘guilty pleasure’ to have self-care. It’s a matter of FIERCE mental and emotional wellbeing.
If you have any thoughts/ insights on the article or would like to share with us, please leave us a comment. We’d like to hear from our readers.