I see so many people in life that are constantly in a rush and so stressed out. They fly by the seat of their pants without much of a plan. This is how people get burned out. Unfortunately, they don’t get a healthy dose of “me time.”
Over the years, I have found out the importance of having “me time.” You cannot take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.
What are some things you can do every day to practice self-care? I’m glad you asked. Here are 10 steps to help you.
1) Set specific times where you take your company hat off.
We always want to make sure we excel in our business world, but it’s important to have proper balance also. Always focusing on work becomes a great excuse for not taking care of yourself. Make sure you set up specific times where you make your family a priority and not work. You will find this to be life-changing.
2) Start each day with five minutes of gratitude.
Most people wake up stressing out about all the things that need to be done for the day. Starting today, take five minutes to express your gratitude. Make some quiet time and reflect on all the things for which you are thankful. Get rid of all the negative thoughts and focus on the positive.
3) Have a morning workout.
You will be amazed what a difference this makes. Start slow and work your program up. I have been doing this for about eight months now. I am now up to 75 push-ups, 75 sit ups, 75 jumping jacks and a 35-minute walk I do each morning. What a great way to start the day!
You will feel better and have more energy. Get your body moving.
4) Get enough sleep.
I get asked so many times “When do you ever sleep?” The reality is that I get exactly the amount of sleep I need. This is different for everyone. For me, 6 1/2 hours of sleep is enough. I’m sleeping by 9:30 PM, and I awake each morning at 4:00 AM.
The proper amount of sleep equates to more happiness, better health, and improved decision-making. In order to be at your best, it’s important to consistently recharge your batteries.
5) Keep a daily journal.
We can get swamped, and life goes by very fast. Take a few moments each day to write down the little moments, and also the challenges, that you may be going through at that time. Keep it positive.
6) Talk to your encouragers.
Do you have someone in your life that you hang around with, or speak to on the phone, and they put a smile on your face or make your day brighter? It’s important to talk to these people. Spend time with your biggest supporters.
Even if you’re having a stressful and busy day, pick up the phone and call a family member or someone that’s close to you. Spend some time talking about the good things that are happening in your life.
7) Read five minutes a day or more.
I’ve recently been challenged in this area. I have never been much of a reader, but someone recently told me to take five minutes and read. I’ve now incorporated that into my life and it certainly does make a difference.
8) Listen to positive music.
Listen to uplifting music that is going to make you feel good. Because I play the guitar, every morning I spend a minimum of half an hour singing and playing mostly Christian praise music. It is great for the soul.
9) Put yourself on the schedule.
When you make a decision to put you on your schedule, you won’t have other appointments that prevent you from taking care of yourself. Make yourself a top priority.
Schedule some “me time,” and take care of you.
10) Make time for play.
This is where proper balance comes in. When you work, work. Focus on work and do your very best. When you are having fun, have fun and don’t worry about work.
When you have proper balance, while you are working, you will never say, “I wish I was on vacation.” You will also find that when you are playing, because you have worked hard, you will never say, “I should be working.”
I have made a decision to enjoy life. I love going to sporting events. There’s nothing like jumping in the Vette with the top down, music blasting, and heading to the beach. I love doing karaoke. I love spending time with my family. I enjoy having big dinners with my friends.
Life is awesome. Make sure you enjoy it.
It is important to help others. I believe we are truly blessed to be a blessing. Remember this, we can’t give of ourselves if we don’t take care of ourselves. Do your best—make the decision to be the best person you can be. Make the decision also to TAKE CARE OF YOU! You are worth it.
Have a truly blessed week!
RICH NORTON
