Whenever you board a plane you hear the safety warning: “If you are traveling with a small child or infant and the oxygen masks are released, you need to place your mask on first and then assist your child.” So why is it that parents routinely neglect their own needs and put themselves on the back burner, knowing that just like with those oxygen masks, if you don’t take care of yourself first, you cannot not take care of others?
Like many parents, I once believed that if I focused on taking care of my family, I’d get to myself eventually (something I discuss in detail in my book,The Day I Took Off My Cape). You can continue like this, but you will inevitably find yourself depleted with nothing left to give. Yet I know plenty of parents who have also tried this approach, until finally realizing no one actually benefits from this behavior. I call this behavior the result of the “superhero” ego. You know, the one who thinks they can do it all and will do it all, no matter the cost? You better tell your ego to have several seats and begin to create space in your life for balance.
Don’t get me wrong, we all have to do things of the superhero nature at times or we’d get nothing done, but we also need to take care of ourselves. When we are taken care of, we have a sense of balance, purpose and we feel fulfilled. Thus, we have plenty to give to our children and/or spouses.
Here are 4 steps to begin taking care of you:
1) You want to set the tone for your day and you can do this by starting of your day with a positive reading, inspirational word and/or prayer and meditation. If you have to wake up 15 to 30 minutes earlier to incorporate this, do it! It will make a world of a difference.
2) Find the time in your schedule to walk, run and/or take an exercise class at least 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes. When we exercise we create endorphins and endorphins naturally make us happy and give us energy. This will give you the energy to complete your daily tasks!
(Click here to continue reading steps 3&4 at ebony.com)
I agree; if you’re not taking care of yourself–first and foremost–then how will you do anyone else around you any real benefit!
jonwatersauthor.com
Exactly! Unfortunately it is a concept people have difficulty grasping, *raises hand-guilty* but the good thing is once you do it you realize how it benefits everyone including yourself!
Reblogged this on oneexoticflower.