We all know we need to take good care of ourselves. We know we should be getting enough sleep, exercise and healthy foods.
Many of us may even be aware we should be meditating regularly, having “alone” or “friend” time on a regular basis and practicing positive affirmations.
I bet you have really great intentions to do it, but how often does that actually happen? Do you actually do what you know you need to do to feel and be your best on a regular basis?
Not so much, right?
While our intentions may be good, taking really good care of ourselves gets overwhelmed by all our commitments, deadlines and caring for others. We end up drained, cranky and impatient, and while we may be going through the motions of work and caring for others, we are certainly not at our best.
You know how on airplanes during the safety talk, they tell us to put our own oxygen mask on first before helping others? If I pass out from lack of oxygen, how am I going to help anyone? The underlying message here – to take care of yourself first, so you can then help others – is loud and clear.
So what’s a busy gal to do?
It may seem counter-intuitive to do so, yet scheduling time in your calendar for self-care practices is a structure that creates amazing amounts of flow. When we’re taking good care of ourselves, we’ll feel happier and it’ll be easier to be flexible and roll with our busy day – whatever it may bring.
If time for self-care is actually on our calendars, the likelihood it will happen increases greatly, and our job is to then protect that time like a terrier with a bone in order to create a habit.
I encourage you to just start, start with scheduling 15 – 30 minutes in your calendar for self-care at least 4 days of the week. This could look like spending time with a friend, getting a massage, going for a run or reading a good book. Anything that makes you feel good!
Bit by bit, you can add to your list of self-care methods and increase the time you spend on you.
If you give this a try, I’d love to hear how you’re doing. Drop me a note at sarah@sparklingresultscoaching.com.