5 Reasons to Start the Habit of Self-Care

When life starts increasing it’s speed, it is tempting to take yourself off the priority list and forget about your essential needs and looking after yourself. Maybe you have a deadline on the horizon? A sick friend or family member that needs your help? Or perhaps you think taking time out for yourself is selfish or not essential?

What if looking after yourself was essential and by slowing down and taking better care of yourself you actually got more of the right things done?

5 Reasons to Start the Habit of Self-Care

Following are 5 reasons why it is important to start the habit of self-care  –

1. Your health (and happiness) depend on it.

When asked what surprised him about humanity the most, the Dalai Lama replied: “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

2. You cannot give what you don’t have.

For example – if you are tired and run down most of the time – what do you have to give? If on the other hand you took better care of yourself by nurturing yourself, eating well, taking time out, having fun and exercising – what do you think you could give then?

3. Martyrdom is over-rated!

We don’t have to suffer and sacrifice our happiness and wellbeing for the sake of the greater good. What good are you if you are sick and/or injured?

4. You are worth it!

I believe it is important for every person to take care of themselves as we are all worthy of love and belonging. “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” – Brené Brown

5. Ignorance is not bliss.

Exhaustion, stress and burnout do not equate to personal effectiveness or good results for anyone. “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Self-care is about loving and nurturing yourself. If you don’t look after yourself, who else is going too?

Reflection –

• What does taking care of yourself mean to you?
• What words come to mind when you read about looking after yourself?
• What are five ways you can take better care of yourself?

P.S. Please remember – self care does not have to cost a lot of money or take up a huge amount of time.

If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take the next step towards freedom and opening your heart, why not join our Toolkit? You can also see the self-care toolkit and identify where are you now in relation to self-care here.