Self Care--Need It?

“Self-care is how you take your power back."

--Lalah Delia

The topic of self-care has come up again recently...and often.  A couple of my coaching clients have been struggling with overwhelm and our Life Group talked about it last week. Many heads nodded "yes" when I asked my networking group if they felt they needed some self-care.

I hiked Badger on Wednesday and about one fourth of the way up, my normal speed (warp) wasn't cutting it. I couldn't catch my breath. I slowed my pace and thought about my schedule. My body hadn't had a day off in a couple weeks. My hobbies of weight-lifting, Pickleball and Badger-hiking had been in high gear. No wonder. Couple that with the other things in my schedule...oops, it's time to walk my talk.

In about two hours, I am headed out of town for a retreat. There won't be any cell service or internet. Gulp! There's no gym, no mountains to climb...just rest, relaxation and other Christian women. There will be time to reflect and just generally let me catch up with me...and my Spirit. I'm so ready. 

If we lead or manage people, we spend all day serving others. Many small business owners and entrepreneurs are striving to keep their businesses running and profitable, as well.  This doesn't include the children that need nurture and the families that need us. 

My question to you is--when do you care for you?  What is your self-care strategy?  When do you refuel and pour back into you?

How can we give others our best selves when our best selves have already been given out? 

You can't give what you don't have. 

We all remember what the airline stewardess tells us to do in case of emergency. If the oxygen masks come down, we need to put the mask on ourselves first.

We need to fill our energy tanks first. Operating from an energy deficiency isn't healthy and may lead to anxiety, depression, hopelessness and fatigue. 

How can we refuel and refresh ourselves? Here are some ideas for self-care:

• Take a walk--just get out into nature.

• Take a bubble bath (yes, guys can do this, too.)

• Talk with a friend.

• Go on a weekend retreat:)

• What brings you joy? Do that.

• Practice gratitude

I am sure that you can think of other ways that would reinvigorate and fortify you. Personally, my daily, morning quiet time refreshes me, but sometimes, it's just not enough.   

Right now. Stop. Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Relax and think of things/people for whom you are grateful.  Stay there for a couple minutes. Doesn't that feel good? 

Now  grab your calendar and start scheduling time to pour back into you. Start small--maybe with 5 minutes. Work up to whatever it takes to refuel and give power back to your best self. You deserve it.

Feeling better already,

Jan

Jan McDonald
The John Maxwell Team 

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