Every day there are a multitude of things to think about and do; work, time with family & friends and building relationships. There is always something important to do and someone else to help.
Helping others is a beautiful thing but what about you; when do you find time to help yourself… to be good to you?
If you never put you first the constant giving can and potentially will wear you down.
- How it affects your mental well-being
Mental wellbeing isn’t something you have, it is something you do. It is about valuing yourself as you do others. If you allow your mental wellbeing to sink that sense of value will diminish and interacting with others will become more challenging as will managing situations and decision making.
In turn, this affects
- Your physical wellbeing
It is important to eat, sleep and get the exercise you need to stay physically well. You put your body through all kinds of stresses and strains when you are busy running around being all things to all people. You deserve and need time to recuperate (sleep), re-energise (exercise) and replenish (eat). When you fail to meet these needs it is likely
- Experience an increase in stress
Stress is a state a tension created when a person feels unable to cope with the pressures and demands being made of them. Stress can appear physically (headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia) as well as psychologically (anxious, lack of concentration, anger). It is also known as the silent killer; it is not to be written off as inconsequential or ‘okay’.
In a state of stress, it is difficult to see
- The opportunities
Everywhere around you are opportunities and possibilities but in order to see them and be open to them you need to be in a positive state; clearly not something you can experience when you are stressed.
And while you may be an avid believer in putting others first if you are experiencing poor mental & physical wellbeing as well as feeling stressed what that is likely to mean is the people in your life, the very ones you are putting first, suffer too.
- So, be good to you…
Rest – whatever works for you in terms of rest, have it. I know there is an 8-hour ideal but for me, 6 hours works perfectly. Just identify what you need in order to get on with all the things you want and need to do.
Relaxation – Separate from resting, take some time out to relax. Whether that’s listening to music you like, reading a book or getting a massage, make it happen; you’ll feel so much after.
Exercise – Not everyone’s favourite topic, I know but essential for optimum wellbeing. Walk, run, play tennis, find something that works for you – there’s plenty of choice!
Healthy Eating – This is not about getting on some low-calorie liquid diet, it is about bringing balance to the food you eat, the quantity you have and the regularity of your meals. In the ideal world eating six times a day works (3 meals and 3 snacks at regular intervals).
Communicating – That saying ‘It’s good to talk’ is a truth. Whether you have something on your mind, maybe feeling a bit low or have some great news, find someone to talk to. We, as human beings, require interaction and community.
Self Belief – Believe that you are being enough without having to kill yourself to prove it! Respect you and others will do the same.
Get more of what makes you happy in your life – You deserve happiness, whatever that means to you. If you sit and wait for someone to deliver it to you it could be a long wait. Make your own happiness from the inside out.
In parting my final words for being good to you are;
“Get you right and you are then in a much better position to help others”
Quotes about Being Good To You:
“Be gentle first with yourself if you wish to be gentle with others.” Lama Yeshe
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
“You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.” Buddha