Happy times call for good self-care too!

As a coach, I am fortunate to work with people who are often taking a new direction in their lives. Perhaps they are starting a new business, a new relationship, changing careers, or doing something else that they are totally jazzed about. It's so great to be happy and excited about your life!

But here's what I am noticing......that, sometimes when our lives are the most joyous, we start neglecting our own self-care. For me, it is an easy trap to fall into. If I find a new project that I am extremely enthusiastic about, I often become so energized and so focused that I find myself not getting enough sleep, eating on the run, sitting at the computer for too long, not finding the time to exercise nor the time for quietude. So what happens, of course, is that in a few weeks I crash. I get sick or cranky or lazy or discouraged or all of the above. You get the picture and it isn't pretty!

I am then forced to repair the damage I've done. I need to get back on track with eating well, sleeping well, exercising, meditating and living life only moderately out loud. Thank God my body is equipped to alarm me when I have driven it too far. But, oh, it was so fun to be excited!!! And who would think that I would have to pay attention to my needs when I am HAPPY!??

So here is a novel thought. What if our self-care was our number one priority? No matter what. In good times and in bad. (In fact, we would probably have a lot less "bad" if we put our self-care first.) Can you imagine having your best energy available to you at all times? Can you imagine being able to handle a stressful situation with much more ease?? Can you imagine having all your creative juices running at top form when you are going down a path that thoroughly excites you?

I actually can imagine it. In fact, I can feel it in my bones. I am a true believer that you must love yourself and that wonderful body God gave you FIRST! It's not always easy to remember, but it can become a habit that will support you for a long, long time.

Why not give it a try? I'd love to hear how it's working out for you!!!

Thought for the day................

"If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that."

Johann Goethe