When work responsibilities are piling up, the family needs attention, and the chores list is never-ending, taking time out would be crazy, right? Wrong. Carving out a little time that is just for you is probably exactly what you need. This is time that is not focused on being productive – it’s about enjoying the moment without needing to get anything done. And paradoxically, by taking a little ‘me time’ you’ll end up being more productive in your daily life. What would you do with a few precious hours that were earmarked just for you? Here are a few ideas for inspiration.

SOME ME TIME, CAYMAN ISLANDS

Words by Natasha Were.

PAMPER YOURSELF

When did you last make time for more than the speediest of hair washes and a quick blow dry before rushing out? It’s because it’s so rare to spend time on personal care that going to the salon feels like the ultimate indulgence. Book yourself in at Vintage and you can savour the glamorous surroundings while the professionals nourish your locks with a moisturising keratin treatment, or even cut, Colour, and style you for a whole new look. www.vintage.ky

FEED YOUR MIND (AND BODY)

We often invest a great deal of time in learning new skills, software and strategies for the workplace – but what about learning something simply because you enjoy it? It could be art, dance, music, or a sport… But if regular practice is not an option, treat yourself to a one-off Bon Vivant cooking class. It’s relaxed and sociable, with demos by local chefs, hands-on elements, and, of course, the chance to sip and savour the final creation. www.bonvivant.ky

GET YOUR DOSE OF VITAMIN SEA

The benefits of seawater and sea air are well documented, so why not immerse yourself in it? If you’re a snorkeller, Don Foster’s has three excellent sites accessible from shore, plus all the gear you need. But if you really want to switch off, there’s nothing like diving. Down in the deep blue everything slows down, the silence is other-worldly, the weightlessness is exhilarating, and the marine life you see will erase all other thoughts from your mind. www.donfosters.com

SOAK UP SOME CULTURE

For millennia humans have used art to express emotions and feelings that cannot be put into words, so it can be both inspiring and therapeutic to contemplate the works at the National Gallery, and muse on the artists’ own stories and experiences. Mindfulness Mondays are intentionally quiet and calming, with optional mindfulness sheets as prompts. Follow up with yoga in the garden or a meditative walk through the labyrinth. www.nationalgallery.org.ky/wellness

GET A BOTANICAL BOOST

For those looking to escape the freneticism of urban life and stroll through woodlands and around lakes, a few hours at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is the perfect antidote to modern life. Reap the benefits of time in nature as you breathe in the aroma of medicinal plants, cool off in the shade of trees, listen to the birdsong, watch butterflies flit among flowers, and even encounter prehistoric-looking blue iguanas. www.botanic-park.ky

TRY A FOREST WALK

The Japanese practice of forest bathing – essentially slowing down and consciously connecting with the sights, sounds and smells of woodlands – has been embraced around the world. Though Cayman’s forests are few, the Mastic Trail is an ideal place to get a taste of its benefits. Take a guided tour with the National Trust if you don’t want to miss any of the birds, butterflies and other endemic wildlife that call this ancient forest home. www.nationaltrust.org.ky

LIFESTYLE | SOME ME TIME, CAYMAN ISLANDS