A recent survey conducted across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt reveals that a significant majority of women in these countries desire more uninterrupted personal time. The Galaxy Time Global Report, which surveyed 8,000 consumers across six markets, including 3,000 female respondents from the Middle East, found that on average, 84 percent of women in the region crave uninterrupted "me-time." This desire is strongest in Egypt, where 91 percent of women expressed the need for undisturbed personal moments, compared with 82 percent in Saudi Arabia and 79 percent in the UAE.

The research highlights the importance of uninterrupted time for relaxation and psychological restoration. Ninety-three percent of women across the three countries indicated that me-time only feels genuinely indulgent when it remains free from disruptions. Despite setting aside time for themselves, many women face interruptions; when these occur, they typically last between 24 and 32 minutes. These interruptions have both practical and emotional consequences, with nearly half of respondents in Egypt (48 percent) and Saudi Arabia (47 percent) reporting feelings of upset when their personal time is disturbed.

Simple sensory activities are among the most cherished ways women spend their personal time. Enjoying a cup of coffee was the most frequently cited activity, favored by 60 to 66 percent depending on the market. Other popular rituals include following a skincare routine, which was practiced by up to 54 percent of women in the UAE, taking long baths, and scenting the home—a practice noted by 40 percent of Saudi women, the highest rate among the three countries. The value of these rituals depends heavily on the ability to experience them without interruption.

The study also identified common sources of disruption and tension. The most frequent annoyance reported was being asked questions that individuals could answer themselves. Additionally, women described time management as the leading cause of stress when preparing to go out, followed by an unequal division of preparation responsibilities and communication issues, with these factors affecting 27 to 44 percent of respondents.

Contrary to assumptions about cultural attitudes toward personal time, guilt was not a dominant barrier for women in the Middle East. Only 6 percent of women in Egypt and Saudi Arabia and 9 percent in the UAE cited guilt as a reason for not taking time for themselves, which is below the 12 percent average across all markets surveyed.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Saliha Afridi, based in the UAE, emphasized the psychological significance of uninterrupted self-care. She noted that continuous, undisturbed time is essential for true restoration and that society needs to respect the boundaries women set for their personal time. Dalia Salib, chief marketing officer at Mars MEA, highlighted the growing pressures women face and the necessity to protect moments of relaxation, underscoring the importance of allowing women the space to unwind without interruption.