More time for yourself in the new year: tips for more “me time”

Getting the last professional projects of the year over the stage, coordinating Christmas and New Year`s Eve visits or getting the apartment in shape - the last few days of December are jam-packed with to-dos. For many, however, this stress is not only concentrated at the end of the year, but survives the winter, accompanies us into the spring, does not stop at the summer and is still omnipresent in the autumn. In other words: Many of us feel stressed out for a whole year, find it difficult to calm down and feel like life is passing us by. Because one thing is left behind in all the hustle and bustle: we ourselves. Do you feel caught with these lines? Then it's high time to give yourself more time for yourself in the new year. And we have tips ready for you for more "Me Time".

"Me Time" - what is it?

Before we get into how it can be possible to have more time for yourself, we should clarify what "me time" actually is. The term can be translated as "me time". So it's about a time that we devote to ourselves. That means: If you have an overflowing appointment calendar or if you literally can't see the forest for the trees, you should take time for yourself more often in everyday life in order to do exactly what you feel like doing. These individual breaks help to reduce stress. This is extremely important, because if you are permanently under power, you will not only feel it mentally at some point, but physical illnesses also have an easy time. And here the following applies: prevention and regularity are trumps. It is therefore best to plan “me time” regularly – and not only when you are already feeling completely drained. This will make you more balanced and better prepared for challenging times.

Strategies to have more time for yourself

That all sounds pretty good and feasible at first, doesn't it? Well, unfortunately it's not quite that simple. Or rather, the reality is different for many people. And that can have different reasons. One of the most common is the time factor. Especially parents, people who have a very stressful job, people who care for relatives or all those who have to cope with a double burden often simply don't have the time to take time for themselves. But even if it's just one hour a week - it's worth its weight in gold. Another reason is the tendency towards perfectionism, which is very pronounced in some people. As a result, they find it difficult to say “no”, want to please everyone and always do their best. And they continue to do so even when their bodies are already sending out warning signals. Do you belong to one of these groups? Then the following strategies can help you to break this vicious circle:

Say goodbye to high expectations: The house must always be tidy and cleaned, the statistics for the colleague must be processed immediately and in between we should still do sports, eat healthy and look perfect. Leaving all that aside and practicing "Me Time" instead - for many, this is associated with a bad conscience. However, say goodbye to high expectations and learn that you don't always have to meet the expectations of others.

Say “no” more often: This goes hand in hand with the next tip for having more time for yourself: Setting boundaries is incredibly important. You don't have to be available 24/7 or give 200 percent at any time of the day.

Plan a fixed time for “Me Time”: Anyone who finds it difficult to allow themselves a little break should enter a time slot in their calendar. And this must be accepted and respected by others, such as family members or friends.

Give up your smartphone: Distractions are everywhere - and a lot of them have to do with our smartphones. So it's best if you put it away or turn it off during your "me time."

Set yourself small goals: Admittedly, in the beginning it is not so easy to get off the hamster wheel. So don't put any pressure on yourself. It doesn't have to be a long period of time. Are you enthusiastic about a 15-minute walk in the fresh air? That's a perfect start!

Find the perfect "Me Time" spot: If you want to practice "Me Time" in your own four walls, it is advisable to create a cozy, relaxed place for it. This can be the sofa or a comfortable reading chair. Our hammocks and hanging chairs are also perfect for this. Your advantage: You can take them outside in the summer and thus have a mobile "Me Time" place for every season.

Ideas for the perfect “me time”

When it comes to “Me Time”, the following applies: you have to find out for yourself what is good for you. Because every person is different. So don't let yourself be influenced by others. To give you a sense of what all this could be, we have collected a few ideas for you:

Go for a walk: Fresh air and exercise are always good for the body and soul.

Read a book: Immerse yourself in an exciting story or expand your knowledge.

Listen to an audio book or podcast: Do you prefer to listen to others? That is also possible.

Yoga and meditation: Your whole being benefits from these Far Eastern teachings.

Sleep in: When was the last time you didn't set an alarm? Here we go!

Writing a diary: Journaling helps you organize your thoughts.

Try a new recipe: Exploring new culinary realms inspires.

Have a movie night: turn on the movie and put your feet up! Plus cocoa or popcorn.

Take a bath: body and soul enjoy wonderful essences and lots of foam.

Going to the sauna: The stress literally rolls off you.

Planning your vacation: Anticipation is the greatest joy and the next vacation is sure to come.

Planning a shopping trip: roam the shops and put together a new outfit.

Mucking out the closet: Saying goodbye to the old can be exhilarating.

Be creative: It doesn't matter whether you're painting or doing handicrafts - if you're creative, you can deal with stress.

Learning to play an instrument: you will strike completely new notes with this activity.

Doing nothing: The supreme discipline is an activity that actually isn't one. That's exactly why it makes so much sense.