Self-Care Is A Meaningful Gift
Establishing a self-care practice will eliminate anxiety, depression, stress, frustration, and anger. Every day we are faced with overwhelming responsibilities. We have deadlines at work and many of you come home to the demands of a family. How do you make time to nurture your needs? Nurturing your needs includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The longest relationship you will ever have in your life is the one you have with yourself. You cannot give to others when you are neglecting to take care of yourself. Why do you think so many people are burned out? Taking time to focus on yourself is not selfish. It is becoming a better version of yourself. When you recharge your batteries, you can benefit from renewed energy and joy.
Self-Care Is Taking Your Power Back
We strive each day to be compassionate and kind to others. Why can’t we do that to ourselves? Self-care is an essential part of healthy living. When you start focusing on your health and mental well-being, you can begin to reclaim your power. We allow our jobs to consume our attention and energy during the week and we find ourselves drained and exhausted by the time the weekend rolls around. We then strive to fit in missed hours into 2 days because we’ve allowed ourselves to be placed on the back burner. It’s time you start taking responsibility for yourself!
Self-Care Means Letting Go
Self-care can also mean that we may have to let go of relationships that are toxic, harmful, painful, and unfulfilling. Letting go is going to be painful and we doubt that we can move forward and be happy. Let go of those attachments so that you can make room for loving and fulfilling relationships. Consider what you need to let go. Think about how this is affecting your well-being. There may be relationships that you know you need to let go of immediately. Oftentimes, you may need to take time and reflect. Letting go brings enlightenment.
Self-Care Is Self-Love
The most important thing about self-care is that you spend time discovering what it is that makes you happy. When you love and care for yourself, you are committing to enhancing your life. I tell my clients all of the time that you need to carve out time each day to devote to their needs. Use the 15/15 rule: spend 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at the end of the day before bedtime focusing on loving and caring for yourself. It could involve expressing gratitude, meditation, yoga, journaling, reading, listening to a podcast, taking a hot bath, exercising, eating healthy, or listening to calming music. Do what makes you feel good and allow yourself to make yourself a priority for at least 30 minutes a day. You will be amazed at the amount of energy you will have. Loving life begins with loving and caring for yourself.