Ask the Readers: Do You Schedule "Me" Time?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Nalu, Linda, and Liz for winning this week's contest!

There's no getting around it: life can be stressful! Between your responsibilities at work and at home, and any social obligations that crop up, it can be difficult to make time to take care of yourself. That's why it's important to pencil "me" time into your busy schedule.

Do you schedule "me" time? If not, how do you ensure you have some time to yourself when you need it? What do you do to recharge during "me" time?

Tell us whether you schedule "me" time and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Elena

I don't schedule "me" time. I only have "me" time when I take hot bubble bath

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Mary Happymommy

I get up earlier than everyone just to have a little time to myself.

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nicole dz

Yes I schedule "me" time, always on the weekend I have half a day to catch up on my hobbies and just relax.

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Julie Wood

I make sure to schedule me time every day! I take care of an Elderly parent and disabled sister, so this can be draining-but I make sure to take me time for my health!

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Ernest S.

Definitely need my "me" time! For me, it's usually a one-hour crossfit workout, a couple of times a week. It's one of the few times that is solely dedicated to me, and allows me to disconnect from all the other stresses in my life.

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Gina

I always schedule me time and use it to sleep in and catch up on reading.

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Tami

Yes and No. Although I do not schedule time for myself, there are tasks that I must do everyday that I structure to be as pleasant as possible. For example, I love walking my dogs in the morning; there are a variety of routes we can take that are lovely and tranquil. My other great pleasure is riding metro to work; each way I have 45 minute of uninterrupted time to read, and I use if for non work-related reading!

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GB

I do not usually schedule 'me' time.

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Susan P.

The time I schedule for me is to create art. It's very calming and therapeutic.

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Denise L

My "me" time is a monthly get together I have with my best friend. We hang out the last Wednesday of the month. Because it's scheduled I know we'll do it. Unfortunately that's the only way it works.

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Selene Montgomery

As a full-time RVer, I don't 'schedule " " me" time, but I certainly take advantage of it when it happens. and do what I want during that time. We all need a break from our routine.

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Julia C.

I've started scheduling "me time" recently. My boyfriend (we live together) has scheduled time on Tuesdays where he plays video games online with a group of friends, so while he does that I've been taking myself to discount Tuesdays at the local movie theater! I've been reading books that are being made into movies, and then going to see the movies the Tuesday after I finish each book.

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Amanda Sakovitz

I usually have me time at night when I watch tv. Sometimes its scheduled.

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Mary Wright

I do schedule time to do things that I want to do to make me happy. Sometimes it is a pain to get the scheduling to work out but it's worth it for my sanity and peace of mind.

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Elizabeth

Me time is knitting to relax before bedtime.

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Guest

Yes! Well, I don't always schedule it but I do prioritize doing things I like to do: exercise outside, watch dumb TV, cook, grocery shop. I just got back from a walk by Lake Washington!

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Jennifer Marie

I usually try to save some time for myself after I get the kids to bed.

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Nicolle

Exercise and reading is my "me time."

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Liz

My "me" time is working out.

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BRB

Not really, I just try to enjoy the alone time that I get!

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Susan Smith

I get up earlier than everyone just to have a little time to myself.

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Martha

I get up super early and have some very quiet time. I teach all day which is anything but quiet and have afternoons and evenings for helping my own kids with the usual list of kid stuff. The only time is early for me.

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Jane

Yes! I'm a newlywed who is student teaching right now and working an additional part-time job. I need me time so I can give what is needed to each area of my life.

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Lynn

Heck yes , I schedule me time. If I didn't there wouldn't be enough bail money in the world.

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Jennifer Blacker

Very rarely

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lostAnnfound

My once a month book club meeting is my "me time." Also in the summer when we go camping I enjoy just sitting by the fire and reading.

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Guest

I live by myself so it is pretty easy to get "me" time. However, sometimes I get super busy, so during those weeks, I do schedule some time. Usually, it is just my workout, but I also try to keep evenings after dinner not working and doing stuff I enjoy.

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Betty

I get up an hour earlier so I can have peace and quiet having my coffee. I also go to bed an hour earlier so I can read. The rest of the family knows that's my time!

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Robin

I'm an early bird. So I get to work a few minutes early and meditate with Head Space on my phone. Love it! Great way to start the day.

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Sue

I schedule me time by going to the gym or by running outside -which has been so hard to do this winter :( By getting out of the house and exercising for even a half hour i feel that it allows me to focus on myself and I always feel better for it.

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Christie

Yes, I do. Usually it's about once every month or two, an afternoon to myself for lunch and when the kids were younger, I would squeeze in as many errands as I could without them! Now, shopping, lunch, and every so often a massage! Love those days.

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Diane

No, but I really need to~ I guess some things I do that are necessary could be considered me time, such as gardening, because I find that relaxing & enjoyable. I tend to define 'me time' as doing something I really feel like doing at that moment.

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KelR1

Schedule? No but, eventually, I get frazzled and fed up and must retreat to a long hot bubble bath to relax.

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an g

Yes I do, usually first thing in morning I workout. That's my me time. Gets me energized and my mind clear for the day

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Liisa R

Absolutely!!! I'm an introvert and my world would collapse if I didn't. Puttering around the house, reading, taking a walk, travel, visiting a garden, shopping, journaling, and going to my favorite coffee shop are at the top of the list.

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Elle

I don't schedule 'me' time but I take it whenever I can get it.

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Rebecca B. A. R.

I don't usually schedule "me' time, but my days off when my husband is working ends up being my "me" time, since we don't have any kids.

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Nalu

My me time is always an invigorating workout early in the morning before my day begins and every Sunday morning where I pamper myself with at-home Spa routine.

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Cynthia

It is difficult to schedule "me" time and if I can't take a yoga class or get a workout in, I usually just focus on my breathing and try to stay in the moment while performing a task like driving, eating or doing laundry!

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Linda

I make time for me before bed usually with a good book.

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june bailey

Yes, it's me,me,me, all the time,time,time!

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Dee Dee

Not really, but I like to read instead of watching TV.

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Yes, whether it's an hour at the gym, an hour out shopping at my favorite consignment store, and an hour nap with the bedroom door shut and phones off, "Me" time keeps me from shutting down.

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Jennifer

If I find I'm not taking enough time for myself, I will put the word "NOTHING" on my calendar so I can make sure I do not schedule anything at all.

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Louly

Yes I always schedule me time. It makes me a more well-rounded person!

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SB

Mine's usually during the weekend when I don't have work. It's my time to prepare for the upcoming week away from people.

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Raina

I don't really "schedule" it, but I live alone, so I naturally am usually alone when I get home from work and the gym on weeknights. I'm introverted, so having time alone is important to me.

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MELISSA HANSSON

Absolutely, I schedule time to do "nothing" into our calendars. I refused to make plans the weekend after our vacation, knowing we'd be getting back into the groove of work, laundry, etc. And then both my husband and I got sick and spent all weekend in bed/on the couch. It helped to not have to cancel a single plan!

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Betsy Sedore

What started as a Christmas Groupon gift certificate for a one hour therapeutic massage (thanks, hubby!!) has turned into one of my favorite and most guarded "me time" plans--a monthly massage! Not only is it a nice stress-reliever, but I also find I have fewer migraines, back aches, and neck pains. I try not to miss a month, because I feel so restored afterward!
Other than that, I try to meet up with friends on my own once a month or so, but sadly, I have not been as good at guarding that "me time" against scheduling/laziness/etc.

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Happy Love

I take some "me time" at the start and end of most days.

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Bethany M

I have a little time each night before the kids go to bed.

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Laura J

Oh I honestly do not get "ME" time very often. Have been a little stressed...really could use some but everyone else is so busy to help. I often find myself staying up until around 2am just to hear the sound of silence! LOL

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Guest

Since I'm single and childless, I have plenty of me time and I love it!

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Kim

After I'm done with my writing for the day, I schedule a little "me" time while the kids are in school.

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kathy

I do schedule me time. That is the only way it happens. I try to schedule a whole day and find it really helps.

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J. Pario

We keep Sunday as a day of rest. This is the main reason I got through graduate school with some smidgeon of sanity left!

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Matt

Yes, I definitely try to at least.

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Thomas Murphy

I don't schedule "me" time