When was the last time you took a minute to pause and enjoy a little me-time?
Life for Emma revolves around helping others. Outside of her 9-5 job, nearly all of Emma’s spare time is spent cooking meals in soup kitchens for the homeless, raising money for charities close to her heart and being a companion to the elderly.
Life moves at a rapid pace for paramedic Katie and her husband Oscar as they juggle raising their young family alongside demanding, stressful jobs.
What little spare time Katie has is spent teaching first aid in the community and visiting preschools in an ambulance to help educate young children.
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is one of Australia's highest profile psychologists, author of 14 books, broadcaster and a specialist in corporate mental health, families, parenting, children, adolescents and the use of technology for better mental health.
Dr Carr-Gregg shares his top ten tips for boosting your wellbeing and making the most of me-time.
Always being connected can make it difficult to create boundaries between your home life and work life. A 24-hour digital detox can help you establish a healthier balance and allow more time for yourself.
Being kind can go a long way toward improving your emotional wellbeing and is the perfect way to make the most of your me-time. A 2019 study in The Journal of Social Psychology found that people who performed kindness activities for seven days saw a boost in happiness.
Reading books benefits both your physical and mental health, and those benefits can last a lifetime – frequent brain exercise has been proven to lower mental decline by 32%.
Spend your me-time doing physical activity that you actually enjoy and makes you feel good – whether it’s a walk, run, yoga or weights – find something that works for you.
Research suggests that even months after writing a simple thank you card (or text), people’s brains are still wired to feel extra thankful. The more you practice gratitude, the more attuned you are to it and the more you can enjoy its psychological benefits.
Practicing mindfulness consistently can change the way you think, feel, and act—because it can literally change your brain. Whether it’s doing simple breathing exercises, mindful activity or signing up to a mediation app, try it next time you’re looking to dedicate some time for yourself.
Everyone’s favourite way to spend their me-time is different. It might be breathing in fresh mountain air, indulging in good food & wine, or watching an early morning sunrise over the ocean. That's why we've curated the 3 Ultimate Me-Time experiences below, which one lucky coffee lover can choose from if they win our Me-Time competition. So take a moment to indulge in a little me-time holiday inspiration over your favourite cup of Moccona!
Credit: Tourism Australia / Noosa
Beautiful blue skies, balmy sunshine, world famous surf beaches, warm and friendly locals make Noosa an idyllic place to relax and unwind.
Hire a board and learn to surf at Noosa Main Beach, plunge into the deep blue on a snorkel adventure to spot rays, tropical fish and turtles, explore the grow, sew, make or bake ethos at Eumundi Markets, sample craft beers or taste gin at one of the breweries or distilleries or take a luxurious sunset cruise along the Noosa River.
Credit: Tourism Australia / Tasmania
Bursting with colour and flavour, Tasmania is the perfect combination of stunning natural beauty, historic towns, the best scenic coastal drives and spectacular walking trails.
Enjoy a walk around Dove Lake - the glacially carved lake beneath Cradle Mountain, cruise the majestic dark waters of the Gordon River, step back in time and learn about the harshest penal colony on Sarah Island or explore the beautiful Bay of Fires, one of Lonely Planet's top 10 regions in the world.
Credit: Tourism Australia / Kangaroo Island
There’s nothing like an afternoon spent sipping a glass a of wine surrounded by stunning South Australian landscape.
A short ferry ride from Adelaide is Kangaroo Island – a foodie’s paradise where produce is seasonal, artisan and boutique. Sample honey ice cream at Clifford’s Honey Farm, indulge in freshly shucked oysters and abalone at American Rivers Oyster Farm Shop, try gin, vodka and liqueurs made from Australian botanicals at Kangaroo Island Spirits or enjoy a unique dining experience at The Enchanted Fig Tree.