Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

No matter how excellent each is flashing a smile through all, it would be for the best if one admits he needs some time off, relax and enjoy his own “Me Time!”

In the first place, Me Time, which some perceive as a selfish act for it disconnects one from others, is not bad at all. In fact, it helps one become whole though this “wholeness” may be gradual, depending on situations and circumstances.

Freelance Human Resources consultant/coach Pikki Nanda was emailed for her opinion on Me Time because in the recent “Webinar on Balancing Mental Health Through Life Coaching” hosted by the Skyline University College (SUC, Sharjah) administration, she emphasised the importance of rest and relaxation vis-a-vis duties and responsibilities, desires and ambitions, including the unforeseen, like the toll of the Novel Coronavirus.

Nanda spoke before the SUC faculty and staff, professionals from both the public and private sectors in the UAE enrolled in the Masters Qualifying Programme for the Masters in Business Administration, including Bachelor of Business Administration undergraduates majoring in Public Administration, in Human Resources, and Psychology.

From her lecture discussions, Nanda pointed out, too: “Failure is part of learning and we should not give up. The pandemic is a wake-up call.”

Meanwhile, interviewed, career women Dubai residents Irene Villaroya and Shireen Shakeel gave their thoughts on Me Time. Construction company Procurement coordinator Villaroya, who also busies herself with community events, believes Me Time depends on one’s personality with the loner more into it than the sociable: “I am in the middle. I need to be alone for my self-pampering, sometimes.”

Shakeel defined Me Time “as always good,” detaching herself from her mobile phone as she disengages from anyone: “When I do, I either go for a walk, watch a series, and take a long shower.”

Nanda, with 26 years of expertise in Human Resources management, into several training programmes such as the development of skills in line with strategic business retention and progression plan, said: “It is important to relax and rest as our body needs to function at its optimum level. Our mind becomes calmer and clearer which helps us develop positive thinking, concentration, memory, and decision-making.”

SUC Student Affairs Dean/Community Services Committee head Dr. Osama Thawabeh said the webinar was held taking into consideration the added COVID19-related stressors on the students which are mainly the “lack of physical interactions between and among themselves and colleagues: “We believe in enriching the learning process by inviting experts from the industry, based on continuous counseling and mentoring our students are exposed to.”