Are you the kind of person who tends to put the needs
of others before your own?
Are you the kind of person who your friends and family
always count on to say "yes" to their requests?
Are you the kind of person who has to beg out of a
commitment at the last minute or work yourself to the
bone, because you have "over promised"?
Wouldn't it be nice instead to put yourself first, draw
yourself a lovely aromatic bubble bath and read your
favorite magazine, while someone else cooks dinner?
This is called caring for yourself, because if you don't,
no-one else will.
Flight attendants always say while demonstrating the
proper use of oxygen masks: "Please put your oxygen
mask on first if you are traveling with someone who
needs assistance." This statement applies to every
area of your life. It is your responsibility to adequately
(if not extremely) care for yourself so you may be there
first and foremost for yourself, and then for those
around you.
Each time you neglect yourself, you give a piece of
yourself away. You begin to lose your sense of personal
power and the vital energy within you begins to drain
away.
Adequate self-care is of the up-most importance.
· Eat quality food, drink lots of water, exercise
regularly and get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each
night
· Become aware of the things affecting your life
so you can make decisions based on what is most
important to you.
· Give yourself the opportunity to make positive
changes in your life that are for your highest good,
even though it may feel uncomfortable at first.
· Realize you are much more than the 'roles'
you play and let them go.
· Let go of any addictions or compulsions you
may have because they dramatically reduce your ability
to make sensible decisions.
· Deal with unfinished business so that you may
move forward living fully in the present.
· Take yourself on a self-discovery tour
because the better you know yourself, the more likely
you are to accept and love yourself exactly as you
are.
· Become a 'human being' instead of a 'human
doing'.
· Let go of the desire to keep up with the
Jones's (whoever they are) and design your life
according to your own values.
· Learn to set clear boundaries and do
whatever it takes so you can learn to say "NO".
· Set aside time just for "you" and do whatever
it is that makes you happy
Remember, it's easy to get sucked into the idea that
a 'certain lifestyle' will make you happy, or that helping
everyone around you will somehow make you into a
better person. What will make you happy is living your
life in alignment with who you truly are, so that all the
choices you make are fulfilling. This only happens when
you put yourself first.
Here are ten ways that you can take time for
yourself:
· Cuddle up with a good book.
· Buy yourself something special (doesn't have
to be expensive).
· Sit in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea
and listen to some favorite music.
· Take a break during the middle of the day and
go for a walk to clear you head and get some fresh
air
· Get close to nature - drive out to the
country, take a walk in the woods, or along a lake or
stream, watch the rhythm of the waves as they roll on
to the beach
· take a nap
· go see that movie you've been dying to
see
· realize that sometimes being alone is good for
you
· start writing in a journal - you'll be amazed at
how therapeutic it can be
· play with your children or your pet
I am sure that you could come up with at least 10, 20
or perhaps even 50 more ways to take time for
yourself. Remember you are worth it! Nurture yourself!
Love yourself! You are the only "you" you have. You
will be giving yourself a huge gift, as well as everyone
else around you, when you begin to give yourself the
care you need. Make "I put myself first!" your new
motto, and watch how much better you will begin to
feel.
This text was written by Cheri Baumann - Life Strategist & Business Coach
Private Reply to Valerie Vauthey - MyPrivateCoach (new win) |