May I know when to use me and when to use me y

Question

je me repose là pendant quelques minutes. je m'y repose pendant quelques minutes. je m'y relaxe durant quelques minutes. May I know what the me y make the meaning different here from me only?

Accepted Answer

Hi Cathy, 
Please take a look at my answer to Don about your question -
https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/view/my-bicycle-ride-y-vs-la
Hope it helps!

Answer

You use me for any reflexive verb.
Je me regarde dans la glace. I look at myself in the mirror.
Je me lave les mains. I wash my hands.
Je me souviens de l'histoire. I remember the story.

Me + y is another story - much more advanced.
Je m'y + verb is used with reflexive verbs followed by the preposition à.

For example, s'interesser à - to be interested in.

Je m'interesse à ton idée -> Je m'y interesse.
I'm interested in your idea -> I'm interested in it.

another example - s'habituer à, to get used to
Je m'habitue à cette ville -> Je m'y habitue.
I'm getting used to this city -> I'm getting used to it.