Save Yourself First

The airlines have it right when it comes to self care. When the plane hits turbulence, masks deploy. You put your own mask on before helping others. Any other way and you won’t be able to help someone.

Likewise, putting your health and fitness (your engine) on the back burner will leave you sputtering. At some point you’ll be, quite literally, gasping for air.

We all have a lot going on and give a lot. But if we are honest with ourselves, we all have time. We just need to take it.

When was the last time you took time to evaluate your self care practices?

What does your exercise routine look like? Do you even have a routine? If you don’t, let’s start by making it an appointment on your calendar. Schedule the time just like you would a doctor’s appointment, parent-teacher conference, or a business meeting. These are all important things and so is your exercise routine.

Do you have mindset time? This is a time for you to reflect, think, dream, and learn. We are so busy during the day checking things off our list, that we need some quiet time for our mindset. This could be reading, going for a walk, tinkering in the yard. Whatever it is, it’s a time for you to decompress.

What does your nutrition look like? Do you know you need help with nutrition, but you’re not ready to make any drastic changes? Then start small. Start by just drinking more water during the day, start by eating smaller sized meals, start by eating one serving of vegetables at each meal.

It’s so easy to brush off self care, especially during the holiday season. Our houses are full, parties are abundant, stress is high. But now, more than ever, it’s important to embrace self care. Increasing physical activity, decreasing mental stress, and being intentional with healthy eating is vital to supporting mental and physical health and staving off illness and recuperating faster if we fall ill.

Be better at life by being better to yourself first.