The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself - The Importance of Taking Care of Yourselft

With the holiday season in full swing, we tend to do all the things we know we shouldn’t. We over commit, over eat and of course—over stress! The I Deserve to Be Happy team wants to remind you that YOU and your happiness should always come first.

First let’s ask why we don't take care of ourselves? When I ask people, "what do you think when I say put yourself first?" I often get the following responses "It would be selfish", "I just want people to like me", "I can do it all", "I can't say no", "I'm too busy", "I’ve just got to get through this first" and "I've got to take care of my kids, husband, parents, friends, etc. first".

If you don't take care of yourself first, you won't be able to take care of people you care about. We like the analogy of airlines telling you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. It’s simple; if you don't put yours on first and you pass out neither one of you are going to make it.

Again, this makes us feel selfish at first, but changing your vocabulary can change your perspective. It isn’t selfish, it’s self-full. You’re not hurting anyone else by taking care of yourself. In the long run you’re actually helping them as well. If you constantly take care of other people’s problems, it is very difficult for them to learn they can take care of themselves, to learn from their mistakes and develop their own self-esteem. Taking care of yourself is not only NOT selfish, but it is the only real way to help others.

How do you take care of yourself first?

The first step is changing your perspective. Make yourself your TOP priority.
Work will still be there tomorrow. Your friends and family will still love you tomorrow if you take some time for yourself today. People who are just starting out with the concept of being "self-full" might have some difficulty getting started so here are a few real ideas.

Here are 3 ways you can start taking care of yourself

1 - Do something just for you.
This is something that is ONLY for you. Take a relaxing candlelit bath, get a massage or spend some time at a spa.

2 - Buy something just for you.
Why is this important? Our society values money. It has been ingrained in our minds as how we place value on ourselves. "I can’t spend that much money on myself!" Why? Aren’t you worth it? You would spend it on someone else though wouldn’t you? So value yourself by buying something only you will use and you will benefit from. Try a personal grooming tool; a new razor, a nail spa or a robe.

3 - Take time to be with yourself and get to know you again.
"But what will I do? I don’t know how to not be busy." Trust me, we understand! Take 5 minutes of quiet alone time thinking about nothing. It will make a huge difference in your mood, your ability to handle difficult situations and how you interact with the people you love.

We truly hope we helped start to make you your top priority.

Thank-you for your openness and for taking the time to read this. Until next time take care of yourself and remember, you deserve to be happy too.

I Deserve to Be Happy.com
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