Archive for giving to others
5 Easy Changes to Make Your Self-Care a Top Priority
Posted by: | Comments
photoI’m sure you remember the familiar flight attendant reminding you to make sure your oxygen mask is on before attempting to help your seatmate. Well, the same holds true for you and your self-care. If you don’t take good care of yourself, you won’t have the energy, desire or time to help those you care about.
I hear the same story over and over from women who bought into the excuse that they just “don’t have enough time” to make self care a top priority.
Often times, neglecting self-care leads to undue stress and other physical ailments such as high blood pressure, poor sleep patterns and a lack of energy. I recently spoke to a woman who was irritable, sleeping poorly, lacked energy and was borderline hypertensive. Yet, she could not make the connection between her symptoms and the need for self-care.
When you take time for self-care, you not only feel better but you also avoid emotional distress and physical ailments.
If you’ve put your self-care on the back burner, you can now move it to front and center by using these 5 easy changes to make your self-care a top priority:
- Commit to putting “me time” on your busy schedule at least once a week to indulge in a soothing massage, relaxing manicure or leisurely bath.
- Get up 15 minutes earlier than usual for some quiet time to meditate, pray or write in your journal. Early morning is a good time to get centered for the hectic day ahead.
- Instead of watching the late night news or putting in that last load of laundry, use the last half-hour of the evening to unwind and relax.
- Turn off your computer and phone for an hour. The world won’t stop spinning. Use this time for redirection, reflection and refocusing.
- Take a daily 5-10 minute break to relax with a soothing cup of tea or other beverage so that your mind and body has an opportunity to slow down and rejuvenate.
“There is no shame in giving to oneself, especially since it aids in having enough to give others.” ~ Rachel Arlene Singh
None of these tips take a lot of time out of your day. And, once you make your self-care a priority, I’m sure you’ll discover that you have more energy to take care of all the other demands made on you and your time.
Until next time…
Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author
Certified life coach, family therapist and group coaching specialist, Gladys M. Anderson helps nurses, teachers, social workers, therapists and other care-giving women to set limits so they have more time, more joy and more energy for self-care. To get more self-care tips, start by getting your FREE copy of Building Strong Boundaries to Create Breathing Space in Your Hectic Life
Make time for self care
Posted by: | Comments 
Making time for self-care is one of the first things we give up when life gets hectic and our energy level is low. With all the attention we give to taking care of others, juggling tasks, meeting deadlines and being responsible, it’s no wonder we often feel there’s no space in our busy schedules left for us.
And, as we take on more and more, we begin to feel like our lives are unmanageable and overwhelmed by all of the constant demands that take up our precious energy.
You may think you don’t have the stamina for self-care but when you start to take care of yourself first, you’ll be surprised at how much more energy you have to take care of everything else.
Here are three quick tips to create the space you need for self-care:
- Silence – Spend just a few minutes sitting quietly reading or with you feet up yield untold benefits in reducing stress. Quiet reflection is an ESSENTIAL part of your self-care.
- Schedule space for You – When you get overly tired, stressed, frustrated and anxious, that’s a signal that you need to relax and rejuvenate. Make sure you allow an interval in your busy schedule to replenish so you’ll be able to handle whatever crops up.
- Resiliency – Resiliency means you are able to make adjustments and bounce back quickly when difficulties arise. One of the biggest causes of stress is rigid expectations for yourself and others. When you’re resilient, you’re like the tree that bends in the winds but you’re less likely to break.
These simple changes can make a huge impact on your well-being and your inner state of being. You may also want to take a look at situations in your outer life to see if changes need to be made that can help support your inner work. For example, you may decide to relinquish certain responsibilities that no longer serve you or that you no longer find enjoyable especially if it’s an energy drainer and time stealer.
Make time for self care in your busy schedule and you will experience a greater feeling of contentment, satisfaction and harmony.
Until next time…
Gladys Anderson - Life Coach, Therapist, Author
Certified Life Coach, Family therapist and Group Coaching Specialist, Gladys M. Anderson, helps nurses, teachers, social workers, therapists and other care-giving women to set limits so they have more time, more joy and more energy for self-care. To get tips, start living out loud with enthusiasm, energy, passion, and self-confidence now, get your FREE copy of Building Strong Boundaries to Create More Breathing Space in Your Hectic Life