You really are the center of your universe. You are the common denominator in everything you do, the central factor in all your activities and relationships. You are the CEO of your life, the heartbeat.
Without you, none of this happens.
As the quarterback of your life, if you fall apart, everything around you does. Everyone around you is impacted.
Knowing this, wouldn’t it make sense for us to make self care a priority? To treat ourselves as if we are valuable and important and we deserve to be nurtured?
Yet we often don’t treat ourselves as if this is true.
We don’t take the time to nurture and care our bodies, minds and spirit. We think it’s OK, even necessary, to put everyone and everything else first and suffer on as martyrs in this, our one and only life.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
You, Yes little YOU, are the center of your universe.
People who don’t take the time to replenish and rejuvenate themselves end up overworked, harried, tired and have a hard time being joyous in life. They risk health issues and in some cases suffer physical and mental breakdowns. Even if it never gets to that extreme for you, you may find yourself resenting your responsibilities instead of appreciating your life and the people in it.
Many of you may be working women with the dual responsibility of providing for and managing your homes. You are either taking care of a home, children, your job, your parents, your friends or some other responsibility every waking moment of your day.
But where is the time for you?
Have you carved out a space where you can nurture and be at one with yourself?
Tweet ThisYou need to refill your tank so that you can continue to be whole and of service to those in your life.
Make sure you are taking the 5 steps I have outlined below to make self care a part of your daily, weekly and monthly practice.
1. Realize that you NEED Self Care
It is not optional. It’s not one of those things you will get to one day. It is crucial and essential to your full functioning as a human being. I guarantee that your life will improve when you start taking steps to prioritize the health of your mind, body and spirit.
Treat Yourself with Love and Care.
2. Let Go of the Guilt
I suspect a big reason why many people do not make time for themselves is the feeling of guilt associated with it. They are so used to being placed last on the priority list in their own lives, they find it hard to take that time for themselves.
It is ok to leave your children to quietly read a book or do some other activity for 30 minutes while you take a relaxing bath, do some reading yourself, or just relax, close your eyes and meditate.
It is ok to turn off your phone and other notifications while you take a walk in nature.
You should never feel guilty for prioritizing yourself and your health.
3. Let Go of the Excuses
People make a myriad of excuses why they can’t afford self care. Whether it is money or time, it is important to let go of those self defeating reasons why you “can’t”.
Many self care activities are free. Like completely.
I don’t know anyone who can’t find 5-15 minutes a day for themselves. Not one person. Anyone who says that is making a giant excuse.
Self care does not have take hours, it is often the simplest activities that bring a host of rewards.
4. Find Your Self Care Activities
There are five areas in which we typically need self care: physical, spiritual, lifestyle, mental/emotional and our relationships that support us.
Each of these will require a more detailed post to identify some of the things that can immediately start to boost us. I recommend you start with small sustainable anchor activities in just a few areas. Know what makes you happy and do it.
You can breathe deeply and meditate for just 5 minutes when you wake up. You can say gratitudes out loud for another 5. You can workout for 7 minutes using the famed 7 minute workout.
You can make your favorite tea or coffee every morning and drink it while you read your favorite magazine or uplifting website.
On Saturdays, soak your feet in luxuriously scented warm, soapy water while you burn your favorite candle and listen to relaxing music.
Take a walk or run around your neighborhood.
Get 7-8 hours of restful sleep.
These are the kinds of small things that will make a huge difference in replenishing your physical and mental reserves.
Tend to Yourself so You Can Bloom Like a Well Cared for Garden.
5. Commit to Self Care
A key step to implementing self care is to not make it optional. You need a set of mandatory, daily, weekly and monthly activities that you promise yourself you will do. It has to be ongoing and routine.
You need to let those around you know that you are committed to taking care of yourself. You will not tolerate being on the back burner of your own life.
What are your non-negotiable self care activities? Do you make sure you are taking care of the most central person in your life – you? Make sure to prioritize, love and nurture yourself today!
The post Take These 5 Critical Self Care Steps to Keep YOU Functioning appeared first on Afford a Life.