tips ·Feb 25, 2020

The Benefits of Me-Time

When’s the last time you took a designated break in your day? We’re talking about an actual break here. The kind of break where you pause what you’re doing and take time to decompress. Time to create what Jane refers to as, white space. Not to be confused with blank space (cue Taylor Swift), but rather a purposeful, designated space with no technology. No phone, no computer. Space to step away from the constant scroll, the urge to check your email, you name it. Space to breathe and step back from the hustle and bustle of your day to day. Before you think, “I don’t have time for that in my day” you may want to read on, because you just may be who needs it the most.

White space, or me-time, is a crucial piece to the puzzle to finding happiness, success and to be the best version of you. Do keep in mind that everyone is different. So, our suggestions may not land with you. In fact, we encourage you to find what allows you space to feel rejuvenated rather than forcing ideas that don’t quite fit who you are.

Oftentimes in this day and age, schedules can be overbooked; humans are running place to place. Living disconnected. Bodies in one place, minds in another. Checking things off to-do lists, hurrying to the next destination or meeting. Can you relate?? As you may have read in our previous post, self-care/me-time, allows us to live mindfully and live connected. Here are some of our favorite ways to do just that:

Create a daily routine. We prefer to do our routines first thing in the morning, as it kick starts our day off on the right foot. But try a routine at a time that works best for you! The goal is to do things for you. Wake up and truly soak in that first sip of coffee or tea. Read a book, magazine or newspaper. Write a gratitude list. Journal about your feelings. Meditate. Go for a solo morning walk, or bring along your family/friends/pets. Find a routine that lights you up, that brings you joy. Things that become non-negotiable in your day, no matter what you have going on (even if it means setting your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier)!

Pro-tips: If you opt for a morning routine, avoid checking your phone upon first waking up. Your emails can wait. If you check your inbox and then mark them unread thinking, “I’ll get to this when I get to the office,” the damage is already done. That email is already lingering in the back of your mind. Save yourself the unnecessary stress. Or does auto-pilot take you directly to your social media app first thing in the AM? Trust us, let it wait, you haven’t missed much! If you opt for a midday or evening routine, same idea. Avoid letting your break consist of screen time. We bet you’ll feel a sense of relief like we have.

Meditation. Let’s dive a little deeper here. As we’ve discussed, meditation allows us to turn inward. To pause and listen. To connect to our senses, breath and body. Meditation reduces stress & anxiety, sharpens the mind, improves energy and a consistent practice meditation has been known to reframe negative patterning in our brain. The goal is not to clear the thoughts, but rather allow the thoughts to come and allow them to pass through. Acknowledge if your mind drifts, then become present once again in your breath and in your body. There are many forms of meditation and it’s never a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. If you’re looking for guided meditations, we highly recommend the InsightTimer or Calm apps. And remember, like most things, it’s a practice. Be patient.
Spending time in nature. The next time you're feeling stressed, put down whatever you’re doing and go for a walk. No matter the season, there’s nothing quite like connecting to the beauty of the outdoors. Nature has a way of calming the mind. Being outside can improve happiness, spark creativity, reduce stress and leave us feeling downright rejuvenated.
Treat yo’self to a janegee facial. The janegee facial room is a safe and supportive space. We hold space for you to simply be and access your body's chi to assist in unblocking energy blocks that will allow the body to nourish itself. Our unique treatments are good for the mindy, body & soul. The use of an infrared sauna blanket will gently detoxify your system. Our colored light therapy, lymphatic drainage, acupressure and natural masks will help eliminate toxins from the skin and eradicate the damage caused by pollution. A janegee facial is a reset; total relaxation for mind, body & spirit and keeps the skin healthy, vibrant, hydrated and active. Healthy skin is beautiful skin. Like we said, treat yo’self. Your whole being will appreciate it.

As you can see, me-time can look like so many things. Once you find your version of white space and a routine of self-care that speaks to you, you’ll instantly feel the benefits. You’ll begin to crave more and understand the importance of creating time in your schedule like you would for appointments, meetings, events, and family/friend obligations. You’ll start to become aware of your stressors and how to best overcome them. You’ll show up to your life feeling refreshed by simply taking time each day for you.

Now that we shared our favorites, we want to hear from you! Do you already have a daily routine/ritual? What’s your favorite way to take care of you? What does your white space look like?

Let us know!