Are you someone who makes an effort to help, comfort, and pamper your loved ones? It has been said that many people take much better care of their friends and family than they do of themselves. Typically, there are more women than men that have this tendency, but it does include both genders. Now is the time to start taking good care of yourself, too! Here are some things you can start with right this minute.
LifeBuzz posted an article that contained 30 things that everyone should start doing for themselves. You can view it as a guide to better self-care, or a map toward a happier, more fulfilling, life. A list of 30 things can seem overwhelming, at first. In this blog, I will focus on a few things from that list that I feel are incredibly important.
Start making your own happiness a priority.
LifeBuzz singled this one out as being “absolutely vital”. I agree! People who make great efforts to help their friends and family members have a happier life do feel a sense of satisfaction. Don’t forget that it is also important to make your own happiness a priority.
Your needs matter. That can be difficult to remember when you are trying to parent a child who is teething, to please a boss who is constantly assigning you new tasks, or to cook a meal that happens to be your partner’s favorite dish. That last one is especially true if you are not a fan of said dish!
People with busy lives tend to push their own needs, and happiness, to the bottom of the “to-do” list. They forget that it is possible to take care of themselves while simultaneously caring for their loved ones. Realize that people who have had their own needs met become more capable to help others.
Start living in the present.
No, this advice doesn’t mean it is time to blow off all your household chores, quit your job, and spend a weekend in Vegas. Adults have certain obligations that they must meet in order to continue to have a reasonably happy life. Living in the present does not mean suddenly becoming completely irresponsible.
Instead, it means “taking time to smell the roses”, so to speak. Take a few minutes, every day, to be aware of the “here and now”. Listen to the song of a bird that is singing as the sun comes up. Become absorbed with the music you hear playing at a party, wedding, or other event. Smile at a happy baby that you pass by while grocery shopping. Allow yourself to truly enjoy the moment as you are living it.
Image by saebaryo on Flickr.
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