Can you believe we are hitting the mid-way point of December? I remember as a child I thought it would never get to December 25th, Christmas day. Now as an adult it seems as if we are in December for 2 days, and then it's the holidays.
Well last week I reminded us about being intentional in our spending and eating over the holidays. Today, my blog is in line with that same thought process. Today I want to ask you a vital question, what have you done for yourself lately? When is the last time you pampered yourself? Had a spa day? Got your hair done, or your nails done? When is the last time you took some "me" time?
Now before you answer, I know the many excuses we give ourselves.We don't have time or the money, or even yet we tend to feel guilty if we do things for ourselves (especial mothers, because we begin to think if we do things for ourselves we are in some way short changing our children). The truth is if you don't take care of yourself, there won't be enough of you to go around for your family.
So maybe you don't have the money to go to a spa, who said you can't make it an at home spa. Light some candles in your bath room, soak your toes or yourself in a hot bath and allow yourself to relax. Or do something that you enjoy. Watch a movie you have been wanting to see. I know I love the old holiday movies. I curled into bed last night and watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Take a personal or vacation day and make it your "pajama day."
Or get out in the sunshine or to met friends, or even have a friend over for lunch. The whole point is, what do you need to help you stay encouraged on your journey? I was looking at another site that gave some tips on ways to de-stress your life. The article, 30 Days, 30 Ways to less Stress, suggest something as simple as taking time to have a cup of tea to having a movie night with yourself. The whole point is, make some time to take care of you. Healthy living is more than what foods you put in your mouth. It's about the entire you. Are you healthy physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually. Are you caring for the entire you. Have you stopped to make sure you are emotionally well and that you are honoring the growth going on in you?
Are you celebrating your steps and accomplishments? It is difficult for many to think of taking care of themselves or spending time for themselves as anything other than being selfish, but with a negative connotation. In order for us to get past this feeling of guilt we have to understand there is a difference between being selfish, not caring about anyone else and caring enough about others to first take care of yourself.
The truth is I realized sometime ago that I could not be the right kind of wife, mother, sister, friend, minister, mentor or neighbor even, if I didn't take care of myself, my entire self. I needed to take better care of my physically so that I could be a good example to my daughters about how important it is for them to take care of themselves. I couldn't be the right kind of wife if I was always sick, tired, frustrated and cranky because I wasn't feeling well do in part to my lack of self care. In turn, if I couldn't manage taking care of my own home, how would I be able to have enough energy or desire to help anyone else? Oh, I was trying the best I could to wear all these hats, but at times I would get frustrated and it would mess with my emotional state.
It wasn't until I realized I was not doing a good service to those that needed me, nor was I doing well for me. Since January of 2013, I have make taking care of me a priority.I make sure I take care of me by making the right food choices. I take care of me by making sure I get in my exercise. I no longer give any excuses for not getting my workout in. I make sure when I am feeling overwhelmed or tired that I stop and take some me time. I have a day set aside called "No Talk Thursday" where I don't take calls and I focus more on myself. I shut off the television and I use it as a day to clear my head. Sometimes I do different things. Sometimes I'll have lunch with a friend or I may even invite a friend to my house. If I have had a really busy week with with family and ministry, I may use it to get a little extra sleep. I'll do the things I have to do, but I'll go get under the covers, play some music and rest.
Since doing this, I find I don't have too many times (rarely any) where I'm cranky or mad, or frustrated. And if I do, I know what I need to do to calm myself and get rid of that stress. So today, I simply wanted to remind some and get others to thinking, what can you do to help your health journey? What things do you need to begin doing to help you be successful not only through the holidays but for your life journey to health? I suggest getting started right away, doing some nice things for yourself. Until next time, continue to W.I.N. in Health.
Well last week I reminded us about being intentional in our spending and eating over the holidays. Today, my blog is in line with that same thought process. Today I want to ask you a vital question, what have you done for yourself lately? When is the last time you pampered yourself? Had a spa day? Got your hair done, or your nails done? When is the last time you took some "me" time?
Now before you answer, I know the many excuses we give ourselves.We don't have time or the money, or even yet we tend to feel guilty if we do things for ourselves (especial mothers, because we begin to think if we do things for ourselves we are in some way short changing our children). The truth is if you don't take care of yourself, there won't be enough of you to go around for your family.
So maybe you don't have the money to go to a spa, who said you can't make it an at home spa. Light some candles in your bath room, soak your toes or yourself in a hot bath and allow yourself to relax. Or do something that you enjoy. Watch a movie you have been wanting to see. I know I love the old holiday movies. I curled into bed last night and watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Take a personal or vacation day and make it your "pajama day."
Or get out in the sunshine or to met friends, or even have a friend over for lunch. The whole point is, what do you need to help you stay encouraged on your journey? I was looking at another site that gave some tips on ways to de-stress your life. The article, 30 Days, 30 Ways to less Stress, suggest something as simple as taking time to have a cup of tea to having a movie night with yourself. The whole point is, make some time to take care of you. Healthy living is more than what foods you put in your mouth. It's about the entire you. Are you healthy physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually. Are you caring for the entire you. Have you stopped to make sure you are emotionally well and that you are honoring the growth going on in you?
Are you celebrating your steps and accomplishments? It is difficult for many to think of taking care of themselves or spending time for themselves as anything other than being selfish, but with a negative connotation. In order for us to get past this feeling of guilt we have to understand there is a difference between being selfish, not caring about anyone else and caring enough about others to first take care of yourself.
The truth is I realized sometime ago that I could not be the right kind of wife, mother, sister, friend, minister, mentor or neighbor even, if I didn't take care of myself, my entire self. I needed to take better care of my physically so that I could be a good example to my daughters about how important it is for them to take care of themselves. I couldn't be the right kind of wife if I was always sick, tired, frustrated and cranky because I wasn't feeling well do in part to my lack of self care. In turn, if I couldn't manage taking care of my own home, how would I be able to have enough energy or desire to help anyone else? Oh, I was trying the best I could to wear all these hats, but at times I would get frustrated and it would mess with my emotional state.
It wasn't until I realized I was not doing a good service to those that needed me, nor was I doing well for me. Since January of 2013, I have make taking care of me a priority.I make sure I take care of me by making the right food choices. I take care of me by making sure I get in my exercise. I no longer give any excuses for not getting my workout in. I make sure when I am feeling overwhelmed or tired that I stop and take some me time. I have a day set aside called "No Talk Thursday" where I don't take calls and I focus more on myself. I shut off the television and I use it as a day to clear my head. Sometimes I do different things. Sometimes I'll have lunch with a friend or I may even invite a friend to my house. If I have had a really busy week with with family and ministry, I may use it to get a little extra sleep. I'll do the things I have to do, but I'll go get under the covers, play some music and rest.
Since doing this, I find I don't have too many times (rarely any) where I'm cranky or mad, or frustrated. And if I do, I know what I need to do to calm myself and get rid of that stress. So today, I simply wanted to remind some and get others to thinking, what can you do to help your health journey? What things do you need to begin doing to help you be successful not only through the holidays but for your life journey to health? I suggest getting started right away, doing some nice things for yourself. Until next time, continue to W.I.N. in Health.
