I get it. Life can be crazy. With work, family, friends and everything else, we hardly have time to think about ourselves. If you are like me and are always worrying about other people and putting the needs of others before your own, then you understand. It can be exhausting. But you know what? It’s time.
You have been working so hard to please other people, it is time to put yourself first. Are you feeding your body, mind and soul the way it needs to be? I can tell you first hand, I was not. One day I looked in the mirror and did not like what I saw, so I made some changes.
Physically
What are you fueling your body with? Are you driving through the fast food lines throughout your day while you run your errands because it is easy and convenient? Or are you making a conscious effort of what you are eating and how much you are eating?
Stress can cause binge eating and we often turn to comfort food during these times, just to fill our stomachs. However, this is not healthy. Because I was so stressed and didn’t care about what I was eating, I gained a significant amount of weight. Now, I pay attention to what I eat. I make a conscious effort to fuel my body with what it needs, instead of only what it wants. Don’t get me wrong, you can have a cheat meal every once in a while but every day is not the best idea.
Are you sleeping? Do you go to bed early, or stay up late binge watching your favorite Netflix show? Your body needs rest. Now, that doesn’t mean that you can’t watch your favorite shows. Schedule them into your nightly routine and only watch an episode or two before it is time to wind down for bed. It is best to put away any electronics about an hour before bed to help your brain relax and get into the mindset that it is time to go to sleep. If you have trouble sleeping you can take supplements to help such as melatonin, or my personal favorite is the Monat Sleep Drops.
Now, be honest with yourself for a minute. Do you move your body as much as you should? Or do you count your walk around the office or down the hall as your workout for the day? I have never been a fan of going to the gym. I was very active in High School and College and never really needed to go to the gym. Man, how times have changed. Since I gained quite a bit of weight I realized I needed to make changes. I hired a personal trainer and have been staying consistent and determined to shed these extra pounds. I am still in the beginning stages, but I am happy with my results so far.
I am not saying you need to hire a personal trainer, but go to the gym a few times a week, go for a run, do some cardio, and pick up some weights. Once you start doing this a few times a week you will start to look and feel so much better.
Working out has not only helped me get in shape physically, but also mentally. My mental health has improved and I have noticed I have been happier.
Mentally
Stress can really have a negative impact on your mental health. When you are stressed, you tend to be unhappy, irritable and exhausted. Taking time to yourself can really help improve your mood. Do things you enjoy doing, pick up a book, watch your favorite show or movie or paint or draw. Do something that you enjoy that is also relaxing for you. Get out of your own head for a few minutes, stop thinking of all the things you need to get done and just breathe and let your mind relax.
Emotionally
Allow yourself to feel your emotions and confront them as they come. Notice why you are feeling those emotions and what can you do about them.
Switch your mindset from a victim mentality to knowing that you have the power to control your mind and how you react to certain situations. These things are not happening to you, but they are happening for you and to grow you, so how are you going to react to them?
Take Care Of Yourself First
Do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself every once in a while. If you are physically and emotionally drained it is okay to take time to yourself. It is okay to cancel plans, unplug from social media, turn your phone off and just rest.
When you take care of yourself, you can be the best version of yourself that you need to be for others. When you are thriving, those around you will thrive too.
