Self Care

Self Care

As wives, moms, and women, we are under a demand all the time. We are the original On-Demand Network. Constantly going from the time our feet hit the floor in the morning, until our heads return to the pillow in the evening. We make decisions all day long for the welfare of our families while ignoring our own ailments, aches, and pains. Some of these are physical, some emotional, and we push them aside for the greater good -- our children. 

We all know if our kids felt as bad as we do, we would move heaven and earth to fix it. We take care of the stomach aches, the headaches, the stress of them always needing to be connected and on. With a never-ending to-do list that is constantly nagging at them in the backs of their minds. The sore shoulder, back pain, the stiff neck. We would stop what we were doing and massage their shoulders before cooking them a nice dinner to be eaten with no technological distractions. We would let them have a moment of peace in their rooms or have them sit in a hot relaxing bath. Why do we not do these things for ourselves? Is it because that would make us feel selfish? Are we not worthy? Are we better caregivers for sacrificing our mental and physical well being for others? I am here to let you know that you are worth it. YOU deserve to have your own time to recharge, and your family deserves the best of you too.

Here are a few simple steps to better take care of you.  I don’t know about you but, I love a good list!  I love easy to follow instructions. So here are a few things you can do each day to take better care of your own health and well being. So you, Momma, will have the strength and energy to love and to care for your littles...or bigs!

•  Drink water everyday, all day

• Talk nicely to yourself, out loud, and in your head. (You are AWESOME, you are strong, you are brave, you are fierce, you are focused, you are intelligent, you are kind. You are amazing!)

•  Shower. The hot water feels so good. Or cold!  

• Get dressed. No pajama pants to Wal-Mart. Yoga pants are for a workout. When you look good, you feel good.

• Go outside. Breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on your face.
• Move your body. Take a walk, go to the gym, garden, play tennis, ride your bike, or throw the ball with your littles. Take them to the playground and… (gasp)...PLAY! Get off your phone.  Actions speak louder than words.  They see you on it, they will learn that that little hand held device is more important to you than are. 

• Brush and floss your teeth.

• Sleep. Get as much as you can when you can. There is so much benefit to a good night's rest.

Your family is watching you. You reap what you sow. If you are unkind to yourself, what is stopping others from treating you the same way? What will stop your daughters from treating themselves the way you treat yourself? Do you want your daughter to talk to herself, and treat herself the way you do? Or, do you want her to be confident, courageous, and capable? Model it! It's your time to shine, to motivate and inspire, but it's up to you. This life is not a dress rehearsal. Make a choice to love yourself the way your Mom loves you, to take care of you the way you want your children to take care of themselves.