Why and how to get your "me time"
03 January 2025
It can be hard to find time for yourself when you're juggling work, family, and social commitments, but neglecting your personal needs can have serious consequences for your health - both mental and physical.
Here, we investigate why making time for "me time" is so important and suggest ways to find space in your life to concentrate on what you need to be happy and fulfilled.
What's the problem?
As a nation, the UK is stressed out.
One in five working adults had to take time off work due to mental health problems caused by stress in the 12 months to January 2024, according to Mental Health UK's 2024 Burnout Report1, while three in five feel stressed and close to burnout due to being unable to sleep.
Many of us are also worried about money (53%) and the state of our physical health (46%).
Know your numbers
Around one in four (24%) Britons experience stress at levels that make them feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, according to figures from the Mental Health Foundation2.
How stressed is too stressed?
Whether it's because of work, money, relationships, or a one-off encounter with a rude passer-by, life is full of situations that stress us out.
But while feeling angry or overstretched from time to time is normal, it's important to take measures to keep our stress levels down – because ignoring them takes a heavy toll on our overall health.
According to the NHS, living with high stress levels affects all areas of our lives.
First up there's the emotional impact - this can include feeling worried or anxious, being quick to anger or tear up, and struggling to make even low-level decisions.
Then you've got the physical impact – we're talking stomach pains and headaches, skin conditions such as rashes and feeling faint or nauseous when a situation feels out of your control.
And, finally, there's the behavioural impact, which is borne out of the emotional and physical symptoms that can cause relationship breakdowns and bad habits such as excessive drinking, having an unhealthy diet or poor exercise regime.
Quiz: how stressed are you?
Take our quick stress test to gauge your stress level.
- Do you often feel overwhelmed by everything you need to get done, whether at work, at home, or both?
- Do you feel unable to control the important things in your life?
- Do you get a headache or feel sick when things go wrong?
- Do you avoid social gatherings?
- Do you use food or alcohol to quell feelings of anxiety or depression?
If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, chances are your stress levels are higher than they should be.
What's the solution?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is one of the pillars of a stress-free life for many people, the Mental Health UK survey suggests.
For many people, one simple step towards this is to turn your email and work chat notifications off at a certain time, making sure any workplace problems don't encroach on your time at home or with family and friends.
When it comes to keeping stress levels down during our free time, meanwhile, making time for "me time" is top of the list.
Did you know?
While it's tempting to spend pockets of free time scrolling social media apps, doing so could make you more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and insomnia3.
What is "me time"?
There are no set rules about what constitutes "me time". It could be reading your book for half an hour, going for a run, playing a sport such as golf or tennis, practising a musical instrument, meditating, baking a cake, or simply indulging in a warm bubble bath.
In short, it's the practice of dedicating a short time to doing just what you want – without having to factor in anyone else's needs or desires.
That might sound selfish. But it's an act of self-care than can have a positive effect on everyone in your life by improving your mental health and making you happier and easier to be around.
According to a study from Birkbeck University4, other benefits of getting quality me time include:
- Increased productivity - having a break allows your brain time to refresh, boosting concentration and creativity
- Better self-awareness - me time gives us the headspace to understand our own needs and desires
- Greater efficiency - we solve problems and meet goals faster when we are calm and focused
- Improved physical health - having the time to both be active and rest your body is vital to staying healthy long term
How to relax - five top tips
It's all very well knowing you should try to relax when you have the time. However, calming your mind and decompressing is not always as easy as it sounds.
If you find it hard to switch off, these tips might help:
- Breathe – learning to breathe deeply is one of the most effective ways to feel calmer, faster. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth while counting to four on each breath.
- Be active – sometimes the easiest way to relax your mind is by using your body. Yoga and Pilates are great examples of this.
- Head outside – being in nature is very calming for most people. Try going for a walk in a green space, taking the time to drink in any natural beauty you see on your route.
- Get creative – painting, drawing, sewing… spending time making something pretty is a great way to unwind – even if the finished result isn't perfect.
- Listen to music – whether you prefer opera or hip hop, listening to music you love can really lift your mood. You can sit quietly with your eyes closed or dance around the kitchen, it's your choice!
Seeking support
There is support available if high stress levels are having a detrimental effect on your life. You can, for example, contact your local GP practice to find out about any stress management groups or classes you could attend.
Your WPA policy may also have some benefits that can help - please check your policy literature to confirm what is available to you.