“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” Eleanor Brownn said that and it’s true, self-care is a very important part of life!
If you are one of those people who take care of everyone else before you take care of yourself, you may find yourself trying to do it all and then beating yourself up when you can’t.
That doesn’t serve you or anyone else. Again, you can’t serve from an empty vessel.
So, before you get stressed out and overwhelmed with all sorts of planning, family activities, parties, shopping, and so forth, would you consider making time for you?
Put You On Your Schedule
It may sound ridiculous, but if you are driven by your schedule, putting time for yourself on it can really work for you.
Block out an hour daily, or even every other day, for something that you find relaxing. AND THEN STICK TO IT. Don’t allow yourself to reschedule you! You are much more important than any client!
Taking care of you can have the greatest RIO (return on investment) that there is … sustaining you! Recharging yourself improves your physical, mental and emotional state and well-being.
Avoid Repetitious Activities
Some people choose to perform the same activity every day, and, after a few months, they are bored and stop.
If that sounds like you, then try varying your daily routine; maybe even to the point of not doing the same thing on the same weekday two weeks in a row.
It’s important to keep yourself engaged so you stick with it.
Do Mini Activities Too
Even if you keep to a daily schedule of self-care, often it is important to do some on-the-spot relaxation too. When you have a hectic life, even giving yourself a mini relaxation of just a few minutes can have a huge benefit!
Here are a few things that I use for myself.
Just Stop
Yes, just stop! Stop running around like a mad person, stop taking care of everyone else. Just stop for a few minutes! Put the phone down, move away from the computer and maybe even move away from other people to give yourself a little space. Then do one of the other things listed below!
Let Go
YES, let go of all of those things you are trying to deal with for everyone else that aren’t yours …. LET THEM GO!! You can let go of other people’s problems, their burdens, their illnesses … they aren’t YOURS so LET THEM GO!! Just say, “These aren’t mine, bye bye!!!” and let all that weight and burden leave you! WHEW!!!
Close Your Eyes
Closing your eyes helps block out the rest of the world. You can be somewhere else when you close your eyes.
Breathe
It’s amazing how we tend to hold our breath or breathe shallowly when we are stressed. So stop and take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes now and take a few more. Let the tension flow out as you breathe out, now breathe in calm and relaxation. Repeat a few more times. Better?
Write
Many people find writing / journaling to be a relaxing and often very eye-opening. Sometimes as you drift along with the writing, it opens your mind to things you had overlooked or perhaps forgotten. Subtle and even profound revelations can come from writing.
Be in Nature
Being in nature, whether walking, riding a bike or just sitting, can reduce your stress hormone levels, deceases depression, decrease negative thoughts and energize you or even relax you so you can take a nap. In fact a recent study showed that walking in nature changes the blood flow in the brain to improve moods.
You Deserve It
Self-care is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Allowing that recharge gives you more energy for you and more enjoyment of life.
You deserve it.
Do it today!!
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