Improve Your Relationships: Self Care
Many of us, especially women, tend to put others’ needs before our own. We neglect ourselves until there is nothing left within us to give. As a result, we struggle and suffer much like those who have been on the receiving end of our kindness and compassion. We fail to realize or acknowledge the importance of putting ourselves first. It is not selfish to tend to our mental, physical, and emotional needs. In fact, it’s unhealthy to meet the needs of others effectively without first being balanced and healthy in our own lives.
If you have ever travelled on a commercial airplane, you are likely familiar with the instructions that are given by flight attendants in preparation for in-flight emergencies. One of the instructions they give in preparation for a loss of cabin air pressure, after the oxygen masks are deployed, is to put your mask on FIRST before attempting to help anyone else with their mask. Taking good care of yourself will not only prove to be rewarding and a fulfilling experience, but it will also position you to better tend to and improve your relationships with others as well.
Burnout
If we go through our lives neglecting our basic needs, we will become very quickly drained of our energy and unhealthy; too exhausted to spend time on ourselves or others. When we realize that our own relational needs are not being met, we can become resentful and ultimately withdraw the help and support we so freely offered to others in the past. However, by periodically focusing on us first, we can reenergize ourselves, which will give us the stamina to continue supporting the needs others.
Taking better care of ourselves can be accomplished in several ways. We can do this by implementing one or more of the helpful tips and ideas listed below. When we are happy with the level of self-care we give ourselves, our energy levels remain high, and we will have a greater ability to help support the needs of those we assist. Everyone wins when we learn to love and better care for ourselves. Consider trying the following tips to get started:
Healthy Diet and Physical Activity
How can we expect to tend to and care for those in need if we cannot meet our life’s most basic needs? To maintain healthy energy levels, improve your eating habits by replacing excess sugar and refined foods with whole foods and lots of water. Give your body the ability to effectively burn the fuel you take in by including daily exercise, thereby increasing your metabolism. Make sure to get plenty of sleep as well, as our minds and bodies do not function at capacity if they haven’t been allowed to properly recharge themselves.
Self-Expression
One of the best ways to take care of ourselves mentally is by frequently expressing how we feel. This can be done in several ways. We can express ourselves on paper. Keeping a personal journal is a way in which we can “vent” when needed to keep our emotions in balance. Holding onto frustration, anxiety and fear can lead to unhealthy stress levels and significant drains on our emotional well-being. Creative expression is also important, such as allowing ourselves to feel and experience the wide range of emotions in a rented movie for instance, or by working on a hobby that is close to our heart. Photography and other visual arts are also meaningful forms of self-expression.
Reenergize and Renew
To appreciate ourselves more, we should get to know ourselves better. Understanding our values and our underlying beliefs can help to uncover what conditions best support our personal fulfillment. Spend some quality time alone to explore this. Some of you may think this will have the reverse effect but you would be surprised what becoming introspective can reveal. Discover yourself and learn to love it. Go for a scenic drive. Take a long bath. Surround yourself with music or just quietly meditate or pray if you will. Not only will you appreciate your own company more, but the relaxation and self-discovery could do wonders for your state of mind. Your relationships are sure to improve if others sense your renewed energy and love of life.
Pamper Yourself
Finally, take the time to treat yourself to something rewarding. Get a massage, a manicure/pedicure, or tickets to your favorite sporting event. Show yourself you care about your own fulfillment and happiness by creating more of it in your life. By allowing yourself to enjoy the spotlight now and again, you’ll realize the goodness others feel when you can effectively support them.
Hope Byus Coaching LLC can help
What decision do you need to make that will move you toward your goals? What steps does this decision involve? Without limits, what does a fulfilled life look like for you? Are you excited about your future or are you facing it with apprehension and fear?
For those of you who could use an accountability partner for ongoing support and inspiration, a professional coach can help you to find out what you need and can help inspire you to get there. Our goal is to successfully support you in realizing your full potential and assist in giving your life a new direction.
Our task oriented, collaborative sessions will help you to identify any problems and concerns that stand in the way of achieving your goals, and we will support you in applying the actions I shared earlier. We understand that breakthroughs require growth and growth requires vision followed by consistent action to successfully reach your goals. Book a free discovery session now!
