Self-Care, Not Self-ish
Most of us have heard the following words MANY times: The cabin is pressurized for your comfort and safety.
In the unlikely event of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will appear overhead.
If you are seated next to a small child or someone needing assistance, secure your own mask first, and then assist the child.
You may have regarded those airline safety instructions as merely background noise when traveling, but let's examine them in the context of your self-care.
Those words "secure your own mask first, and then assist the child," are profound.
The oxygen mask can serve as a life line.
And, it represents the importance of putting yourself first- not just on the airplane, but in your daily life.
Do you put yourself first in your daily life? Do you create time everyday for your health and for your self-care? Or is it something you do if you just have some time left over at the end of the day? Or is it something you reserve only for special occasions like your birthday or Mother's Day? And the million dollar question..
..
Does making yourself a priority instead of making others a priority; leave you feeling guilty or maybe even selfish? If your answer is "yes" you're not alone.
Women for centuries have assumed the role of nurturers.
We have assumed that role perhaps without applying for the job.
We take care of our jobs, our families, sometimes our parents, our communities and more.
That can be good.
The problem is when we don't take care of ourselves.
We start with good intentions-giving and doing things for others...
being a good mom, good caregiver and good employee.
But all of this without attention to our own needs sets the stage for resentment, exhaustion and a nagging unfilled feeling.
Therefore, and unfortunately, we are not always showing up to our families from a place of love, but rather one of guilt and obligation.
How did this happen? We had good intentions right? I have learned that before you can be there for others, you have to be there for yourself.
You'll have more to give when you have taken the time to care for yourself first.
Not paying attention to our health, our finances, and our emotional and spiritual well-being is detrimental to us and those who we most care about.
You know it's possible to become that "selfless" caretaker crawling through the plane, putting everyone else's mask on before putting on our own...
slowly suffocating as we help everybody around us.
But I am going to challenge you to think differently, to adopt a new mindset when it comes to your self-care...
a mindset that could save your health and radically improve your overall well-being.
I want to challenge you to put your oxygen mask on first! This is not being selfish; it just makes good sense.
Ultimately, EVERYONE will benefit.
Yes, it would be selfish to say to your child: "You can't be in any sports because I don't want to drive you.
" Practicing good self-care might be: You spearhead carpooling with several parents so there is a reasonable amount of driving for each parent.
Another example of selfish might be:You go to events with friends without letting your husband know in advance so that he can plan other activities.
Practicing good self-care might be: You inform your husband that Monday nights are sacred and you meet with your book club.
When you take time for yourself: to read; to rest; to get a massage; enjoy a bubble bath; to have lunch with friends; to exercise; to prepare and enjoy nutritious meals; to learn more about investing; to watch a favorite movie; to meditate; to set boundaries with others who are draining your energy; to create time for a favorite hobby or passion; and keep to routine appointments like a mammogram or eye exam, you are honoring your health and well-being.
Taking time for yourself makes you more relaxed, more resistant to illness, more patient, more focused and more fulfilled.
Everyone around you benefits when you take care of YOU.
So, give yourself permission to make improving your wellness a priority.
When you put on your own mask first with self-care, you will soon see improvements in your own life, as well as those you love.
Growth Step Doing whatever replenishes and rejuvenates you is not selfish.
It is self-loving and part of the self-care we each need to maintain our happiness with ourselves and our life.
Self-care activities may be physical (walking) or emotional (a day at the art museum) or spiritual (a long meditation by the water).
It doesn't matter what you choose.
This will be unique to you and where you personally draw your inspiration for living.
1.
List three self-care practices you are currently doing on a weekly basis.
2.
Add three more self-care practices to your weekly routine.
In the unlikely event of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will appear overhead.
If you are seated next to a small child or someone needing assistance, secure your own mask first, and then assist the child.
You may have regarded those airline safety instructions as merely background noise when traveling, but let's examine them in the context of your self-care.
Those words "secure your own mask first, and then assist the child," are profound.
The oxygen mask can serve as a life line.
And, it represents the importance of putting yourself first- not just on the airplane, but in your daily life.
Do you put yourself first in your daily life? Do you create time everyday for your health and for your self-care? Or is it something you do if you just have some time left over at the end of the day? Or is it something you reserve only for special occasions like your birthday or Mother's Day? And the million dollar question..
..
Does making yourself a priority instead of making others a priority; leave you feeling guilty or maybe even selfish? If your answer is "yes" you're not alone.
Women for centuries have assumed the role of nurturers.
We have assumed that role perhaps without applying for the job.
We take care of our jobs, our families, sometimes our parents, our communities and more.
That can be good.
The problem is when we don't take care of ourselves.
We start with good intentions-giving and doing things for others...
being a good mom, good caregiver and good employee.
But all of this without attention to our own needs sets the stage for resentment, exhaustion and a nagging unfilled feeling.
Therefore, and unfortunately, we are not always showing up to our families from a place of love, but rather one of guilt and obligation.
How did this happen? We had good intentions right? I have learned that before you can be there for others, you have to be there for yourself.
You'll have more to give when you have taken the time to care for yourself first.
Not paying attention to our health, our finances, and our emotional and spiritual well-being is detrimental to us and those who we most care about.
You know it's possible to become that "selfless" caretaker crawling through the plane, putting everyone else's mask on before putting on our own...
slowly suffocating as we help everybody around us.
But I am going to challenge you to think differently, to adopt a new mindset when it comes to your self-care...
a mindset that could save your health and radically improve your overall well-being.
I want to challenge you to put your oxygen mask on first! This is not being selfish; it just makes good sense.
Ultimately, EVERYONE will benefit.
Yes, it would be selfish to say to your child: "You can't be in any sports because I don't want to drive you.
" Practicing good self-care might be: You spearhead carpooling with several parents so there is a reasonable amount of driving for each parent.
Another example of selfish might be:You go to events with friends without letting your husband know in advance so that he can plan other activities.
Practicing good self-care might be: You inform your husband that Monday nights are sacred and you meet with your book club.
When you take time for yourself: to read; to rest; to get a massage; enjoy a bubble bath; to have lunch with friends; to exercise; to prepare and enjoy nutritious meals; to learn more about investing; to watch a favorite movie; to meditate; to set boundaries with others who are draining your energy; to create time for a favorite hobby or passion; and keep to routine appointments like a mammogram or eye exam, you are honoring your health and well-being.
Taking time for yourself makes you more relaxed, more resistant to illness, more patient, more focused and more fulfilled.
Everyone around you benefits when you take care of YOU.
So, give yourself permission to make improving your wellness a priority.
When you put on your own mask first with self-care, you will soon see improvements in your own life, as well as those you love.
Growth Step Doing whatever replenishes and rejuvenates you is not selfish.
It is self-loving and part of the self-care we each need to maintain our happiness with ourselves and our life.
Self-care activities may be physical (walking) or emotional (a day at the art museum) or spiritual (a long meditation by the water).
It doesn't matter what you choose.
This will be unique to you and where you personally draw your inspiration for living.
1.
List three self-care practices you are currently doing on a weekly basis.
2.
Add three more self-care practices to your weekly routine.
Source...