Sometimes life can feel like one long to-do list. Once you've ticked off work, childcare and running a house there never seems to be enough time left for much else - least of all you!
Think again, step off that treadmill and take time for yourself. We all need to cut ourselves some slack for the sake of our sanity.
What is 'me time'?
So what is 'me time'? Well it's not tidying the kids' bedrooms or going through emails. It means different things to different people. It could be going for a run, a trip to the cinema, a night at the pub with friends or having a massage, anything you enjoy.
My sanity returns when I have my “me-time”. During the dusk when the skies are a mellowing golden hue and there is a gentle breeze, I always go out for a 30 minute walk, to reconnect myself with nature. It was literally quite shocking to read in a local daily that almost half of the population in the UAE has less than one hour of me time.
This made me ponder more into the subject and by the wise council of my editor, we will be discussing this topic with real life stories, of families residing in UAE.
What is the purpose in life? To enjoy the journey before we reach our final destination. But the hustle and bustle of modern life make us forget the very purpose, we are put on this planet.
Thanks to a Starbucks coffee company survey, a major simmering problem of a thriving city has come to the fore.
Threshold breaking stress levels
A recent survey by YouGov points out that 59% of UAE work for are stressed out. 65 percent of the population is stressed due to increased workloads. If so much of the stress is around, then it will have a direct effect on relationships. It is a virtuous cycle, relationship problems will directly affect the psychological well being of kids.
The bottom line for all these unaddressed problems is stress. Stress is caused when we have no time to take care of ourselves. See how everything is interconnected.
The Starbucks survey points out that one in ten people actually say that they have no me time. Daily chores like cleaning the house, cooking meals and grocery shopping takes away a large chunk of their time, says the report. People say that there is no personal time.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, goes the proverbial English saying. It is quite disheartening to see that people work themselves to death. Carole Spiers a motivational speaker, says that "The very conditions that have enabled Dubai's explosive commercial success have also been shown to represent a dangerous downside in terms of workplace health - a startling reminder that you don't get something for nothing in this world."
The survey points out that nearly 46% of people between the ages of 35 to 39 are constantly busy with their kids, school runs, play dates and extracurricular activities. These people always struggle to find some time for themselves and to take a break away from kid centric activities.
Before we move into the positive health aspects of me time we can see how some people unwind after a hard day’s work.
Mrs. Lakshmi Saravanan, is an engineer by profession, a wife and a busy mom to a beautiful 4 year old girl. Her work day starts quite early, after sending her little daughter to school, she finishes off the remaining work, packs lunch for herself and her husband, and jets off to her office.
After a long day’s work, she is busy teaching her kid and helping her with the homework. After some family time, she gets some me time at the end of the day.
She says “I have a minimum of one hour of me time”. She shrugs and after some deep thought says “of course it is difficult to manage both the work and family.” “But need to do.” She ponders.
“If I come a little early from the office, I will do a little exercise,” otherwise I just sit and take some rest.” Pat comes her reply, when asked whether she follows any exercise routine.
For her me time she pauses and says “I watch movies, and I take a nap.” Well, I feel a little relieved about the smart work life balance management, of this new generation mom.
Mr. John Thomson is a busy Automobile Sales Manager, husband and a father of two kids, and he has an added responsibility of heading his team. “I make it a point to get me time”, “usually at the end of the day”, “that’s the time when the whole house is very quiet” he laughs.
“I hear the 80’s music, surf the net and enjoy a bit of cooking, during my free time” he says, with a big smile.
When asked whether he does some exercise, “No” comes the reply.
Alisa Chotikunchorn is a registered medical professional, but for the moment she stays at home to care for her little daughter. She is busy taking care of her husband and daughter.
A warm and friendly person by nature Alisa says, she likes her me time. “I take about an hour to myself in the morning, when my daughter is taking a nap,” she laughs.
I read the newspaper, read articles and watch cooking episodes on YouTube.” When my daughter goes to sleep at night, “I watch my favorite TV programs”. She ends the conversion with a beautiful “Good bye” joined in by her pretty little daughter.
Benefits of having me time
The researchers at the British Royal Society, say that high quality me time, improves your psychological wellbeing and also makes you a more engaged employee.
People who experienced high quality me time enjoyed a better work life balance, which improved their happiness quotient to a great extent.
Amy Tiemann, author of Nurturing Yourself While Raising a Family says “Taking care of yourself will make you a better parent and partner. You will be more fun to be around and more responsive to your family”.
Health advisors advise you to recharge your batteries and enjoy your, me time. So that you can enjoy greater psychological health, better family relationships and improved work performance.
Deona writes “me time is the time in your day that you devote totally to you, doing things that renew your mind, body and spirit.”
“Spend doing things that you enjoy like resting, dreaming, reading, journaling or just thinking.”
Me time helps you to recharge your mind and rejuvenate your soul. It relaxes your mind and body and restores you, helps you connect with your soul.
Take away
Dubaiites, enjoy your life on this amazing planet, stop and stare at the beautiful clouds, smell the fragrance of roses, and trim that green lawn, after the first desert shower. You will find that your soul blooms and relishes the spring of happiness.
