Why Me-Time Is Important For Happiness

We don’t think twice before putting me-time on the backburner, prioritising our family, friends and our job. But when you’re run down, tired and in the thick of it, that’s when me-time matters most.

We know that 50% of us feel guilty when we take me-time, but we really shouldn't! By putting a few minutes aside for yourself, you’ll reap the rewards!

Relax, recharge, refresh

Prioritising me-time when you’re not feeling your best is a great way to unwind, de-stress and recharge. If you continue trudging along, you’ll find yourself even more tired and drained. But slowing down and pressing pause for a few minutes, hours (or even a whole Sunday!) can make you feel instantly relaxed. Plus, it’ll make your decisions more balanced, boost your concentration levels tenfold and ensure you’re more productive when you get back into work mode (yes, you should definitely email this to your boss).

So, try to remember to invest in you, too! Distract your mind from all of the chaos with something creative (think: drawing, sewing or upcycling your Birchbox) or spend your me-time calmly reflecting on your day whilst indulging in a bubble bath or cooking your favourite meal.

Short on free time?

We get it, it can feel overwhelming when you’ve got hundreds of looming deadlines and upcoming plans. But me-time can take just five minutes and there are ways to spend it wisely. Try a hair mask whilst at the gym or battle through life admin whilst FaceTiming friends. Your me-time doesn’t always have to add extra hours to your usual routine.

Another way to hit the reset button is with a great night’s sleep. Take things up a notch and try a pillow spray, a heated eye mask or a soothing night cream to seriously switch off and recover from a stressful day. Or your me-time could simply be waking up an hour earlier and having a slower - less frantic - start to the day.

And if you really don’t have the hours to bring your me-time home, it’s something you can fit in at work, too. Actually taking your lunch break is a big one: use the time to catch up with colleagues, treat yourself to a nice meal (no deskside lunches allowed!) or go for a walk to clear your head. And during the post-lunch lull, plug in your headphones for an hour whilst working on a big project - you’ll be surprised how uplifting listening to your favourite album can be.