When you take a flight, each airline has a safety debriefing. The stewardess stands in the middle of the isle demonstrating the message of putting on your own oxygen mask first. The message is understandable, if you aren’t breathing, how could you possibly save someone else’s life. This message holds true in our everyday life as well. Many times we put off our own needs and health to prioritize others first. Kids, family, spouses, significant others, work, errands, friends, all of these can cut into the time of your own needs. And while serving all of these things or attempting to be notable and selfless, it can leave no time for your own needs. In essence, part of you may be dying off by the continual lack of prioritizing your own needs.
Some of us are so busy and have tuned out our own needs long enough, we have forgotten what those needs actually are. I challenge you to take time this week to take a few minutes and ask yourself what you feel your needs are to be the healthiest you. Make a list of those needs. By the end of the week, see if there is 10-20 minutes per day you can schedule to put yourself first to meet those needs. Maybe it looks like shifting some responsibilities over or delegating to the family or even restructuring your workday. See if you can create little windows of time that you otherwise may not have had so you can accomplish your “me time.” If you treat this time daily like you would a medical appointment or another you are more likely to get it done. Begin to hold your self-accountable for your own health needs.
Some of the common health needs that get overlooked:
- Working out – giving your body cardiovascular conditioning and tone for the muscles
- Nutritional needs – providing your body with the nutrients it needs to perform tasks
- Supplements and vitamins – our diets often lack in the vitamins we need to help our body
perform at it’s best
Some of the things that provide balance with all the hard work you do:
- Periodically getting a massage, acupuncture, or holistic type service
- Manicure or pedicure
- Yoga or Tai Chi
- Create a getaway spot for a self care sanctuary
- Practice gratitude at the end of your day
- Find ways to add laughter in your day
- Change one thing to improve your diet
The important point in heading in the direction of self-prioritizing is that it doesn’t have to be done and perfected all at once. You can take one step in the direction of greater self-care each week and in a short period of time, be noticing the benefits of the extra attention. These small changes are not only to benefit you; but by renewing your spirit first, you will probably find that you are actually more emotionally available and serving of others when you make the time to do so.
Committed to your health and fitness,
Lisa
About the Writer: Lisa Jill Rooney is a National Level NPC Figure Competitor, fitness model, and writer. Lisa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Radiographic Science and has worked in the healthcare field for over 10 years. Her passion to motivate, inspire, and encourage others has extended into the fitness arena. Lisa is a body coach offering online transformation programs through her business, Lisa Jill Fitness. If you enjoyed this article, please visit Lisa’s website to sign up for her free fitness newsletter: www.lisarooney.com
Photo Credit: LHGFX
Contact: www.lisarooney.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Jill-Fitness/211896958877885
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