Many of my wellness coaching clients have said that they feel guilty taking time for themselves, whether it’s to exercise, prepare healthy foods, meditate, or just plain relax. Like these clients, many of you are going a mile a minute for 18 hours a day taking care of your kids, your spouse, your job, your house, your church — everything but YOU.
If you’re that concerned about the health and welfare of everyone else, consider this: If you’re not taking time to refuel and take care of yourself, you’re cheating all these other people out of your best work and your best self. You can’t write five articles in a month if you’re dragged out. You can’t be patient with your kids and your spouse on no sleep. And if you’re sick, everyone loses.
One of my clients put it best: “You can’t lean on a broken stick.” In other words, if you’re not at your best, then you’re not in a good position to take care of other people. You may have also heard the phrase “You can’t serve other people if your cup is empty.” Same deal.
So if your motivation is taking care of other people, know that it’s important to take care of yourself first. Carve a half hour out of your day to relax, go for a walk, do yoga, or meditate. Go to bed an hour earlier. Prepare healthy foods for yourself instead of grazing on whatever you have around the house.
You’re worth it, and your loved ones are, too.
Linda –
Yep. I mediaite and pray to start my day, and the do my exercise, which energizes me for the day, as well as keeping me healthy mentally and physically for myself and others.
Steve
What a great way to start the day!
Excellent advice Linda. In my own experience, I found that unless I made my health and wellness priority #1 (at least for a period of time), I couldn’t achieve success. Make YOUR health priority #1 until you get healthy…then you can take care of everyone else.
Thanks for your comment, and right on!