Me time is a very important part of everyone’s life. Its a time to focus on yourself, and take a break to mentally relax and escape the stress of everyday life. Me time can be extremely beneficial to your mental health, and can significantly boost your productivity. However it is important to know the difference between healthy ‘me time’ and indicators of depression.  

 

Though isolation can contribute to your happiness and health, it can also be dangerous for people suffering from mental illness. Isolation often encourages cyclical thoughts, and can keep us from recognizing love in our lives.

 

So how does one tell the difference?

 

Sometimes people use time to themselves as an excuse to avoid situations and keep from facing their problems upfront. Though it is important to approach your problems with a steady head, you should always make sure that they are addressed and not avoided.

 

Sometimes people say they prefer to be alone, as they feel their presence is a burden on their friends and family, but many times this is not the case. Our emotions can cloud our judgement and cause us to feel this way, but it is important to remember that our loved ones are always there for us.

 

‘Me time’ should be used efficiently. This doesn’t mean that you should meticulously plan out a ‘to-do’ list for this period, but you should ensure that you are focused on what you need at that time. If it is relaxation, then make sure you spend the time doing something that truly relaxes you – whether that is watching a movie, going for a walk or reading a book.

 

So, how do you know you are spending your ‘me time’ the right way? Focus on how you feel afterwards – are you recharged, energized and revitalized, or do you find yourself feeling exhausted? These may be indications that you need to make a shift in the way you are spending your time.

 

There is not a single solution for everybody, so it is up to you to decide what works best for your mental state.