Your RDA of “Me Time”
How much “Me Time” do you need on any given week, any given day? Are you getting your Recommended Daily Allowance?
I define “Me Time” as time completely by yourself, doing simple tasks like walking, cooking, writing or meditating that give you time to savor and appreciate just BEing. Watching TV and running errands don’t count.
Last Sunday I had the entire day open and unscheduled for “Me Time”. I began with some simple Kundalini Kriya meditations in my tiny little backyard music/yoga studio. Then, a call with my Dad to see how he has been doing. I attended the lecture at the Hollywood Self Realization temple. I took a walk around the Silverlake Reservoir. I spent a few hours working on a new song and reading Meditation as Medicine. Then I cooked a wonderful meal for my husband: Lemon Ginger Chicken stir-fry. I will admit that we did catch our favorite show, Boardwalk Empire, at the end of the evening. The content of that show probably is not the most peaceful/meditative with which to end the evening, but I do see value in h0w the shows stimulates the intellect more than most, and shows an important part of American history.
This entire day of “Me Time” put me into such a calm, reflective state which lasted for days. I began thinking of people I know, friends/family and beyond, who might benefit from me doing something nice for them, or giving them a call to have a few laughs. I was able to slow down time” and truly live in the moment, full of gratitude and peace. If it weren’t for switching on the TV at the end, you really could have compared the day to the Jewish Sabbat. My friend Barbara has told me how much she looks forward to this quiet day of reflection each week. It truly makes so much sense.
Ask yourself how much of this time you need, and how often. Perhaps you just need 10 minutes a day…maybe you need an hour. Maybe you need a whole day to yourself. This “Me Time” will vary, depending on the person and the circumstances. I can imagine mothers working at full-time jobs are possibly rolling their eyes right now reading this. I do respect that you have precious little time, working mommies, but this is even MORE important for YOU than anyone! Reach out to a friend to babysit so you can go to yoga class. Tell your husband to take the kids to the park so you can have a nice soak in the bathtub with a new book. Set the alarm on your cell phone to go off at 3pm every day. Come hell or high water, that is your time to stand up, walk away from your desk cube and take a walk outside.
It’s imperative for our spiritual health that we have this peaceful, reflective downtime. Alone. It is essential for our physical, spiritual and mental health. I am someone who needs one entire day a week, and some other breaks sprinkled in a couple times per week. My friend and business partner, Rachelle, seems to have boundless energy that she can pour out to many different people, day after day, and it blows me away. But I want to be truthful about the kind of person I am and what I can give. My outgoing energy ebbs and flows (I’m working on more flowing and less ebbing). We are all individuals with unique circumstances and needs.
So be sure to create some time and space for “Me Time” this week. Ironically, it makes you so much more healthy and happy, your friends and family will want to be around you and your wonderful energy more than ever.
McKenna Rowe is the Founder of Chakra 5 Mobile Yoga, an experienced team of corporate yoga instructors that provides mobile yoga classes on location and by appointment at businesses, schools and organizations throughout greater Los Angeles. Call us to start your corporate wellness program today: 310-853-3885.