Taking good care of YOU should come first so that your love and good will naturally overflow to others.
Some of us are in a profession where helping others is our primary goal, and others are just natural born caretakers. While it\’s wonderful to help and care for others, good self-care fills you with love and gratitude. It helps you feel rested and allows those good feelings to overflow onto others in your immediate circle. It will also help prevent burnout.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to slide out of those good habits that keep us feeling our best? It\’s the easiest thing in the world to start putting other things into the slots that we usually use for self-care, and pretty soon, those great habits that worked so well to keep us on top of our game are no longer a part of our regular day. Even if you write “me time” into your daily schedule, it may be the first thing to go if your schedule becomes tight … I know because I find myself doing that too.
I realized today that my exercise, meditation, and even daily self-Reiki has become a less regular part of my day than they used to be! My body, mind, and spirit are telling me that I need to get back to the things that work for me even if I have to put some other things down a little further on the list. Nurturing ourselves is basic to feeling good … and then those good feelings can overflow to those around us. We give best when our own cup is is full of love.
This list was started as a reminder to myself, but I\’m sharing just in case you need a little reminder, too.
- If you honor a spiritual practice such as Reiki, yoga or meditation, take time for them daily. If you feel like you don\’t have time to do your practice daily, that\’s most likely the time you really “need” to take time out to do them. Studies have shown that by calming our minds, relaxing and relieving stress that we are more productive … soooo, take a break.
- Learn to say “no.” Many people have trouble saying “no” to others even if they know that they are stretched to the limit. That\’s not being kind to yourself or to your other obligations. If we take on too much then we don\’t do a good job at anything and end up becoming stressed out and resentful. If you have a problem saying “no” then that\’s all the more reason for you to practice saying “no” {gently but firmly} at least once a day!
- Spend time doing things you enjoy. What\’s your favorite thing in the whole wide world to do? Now when was the last time you took the time to indulge in that wonderful thing? Do what makes you happy! Don\’t feel guilty about taking time out for yourself because it will benefit you as well as those around you! When you treat yourself well, you fill yourself up with love and that love overflows to those you care about.
- Spend time alone. I\’m a real “people-person.” I thrive on being around others, but I need time alone to recharge. Spending time in nature is one of my favorite ways to do that. It can be a walk outside, sitting outside either on the patio, or best of all by a large body of water…and it\’s even better if that large body of water has some ~waves~ Even taking a long bubble bath can be a life saver at times!
- Allow others to do things for you. Always being on the giving end can cause resentment and burnout. Learn to receive as well as give and by doing so, you\’ll be giving a gift to those who love you. Being able to receive loving gestures from others not only makes you feel good, it makes them feel good, too.
– Sandy
Original Source to article, with many thanks to Sandy Evans Pullin
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Sandy holds a BA in Academic Psychology from The University of Tennessee. She is a certified Usui Reiki Master/Teacher and is an affiliate member of the International Center for Reiki Training. She is also a certified Lightarian Reiki Master an Ordained Minister, and a member of The Wellness Universe, She offers both distant and in-person Reiki sessions and teaches all three levels of Usui Reiki. She also channels Lightarian Reiki attunements for Usui and Karuna Reiki Masters.
