Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Go Prioritize Yourself!

Whether you are a busy mother of three, working a high-stress job, or just one of those "go to" people in your family that everyone relies on, so many of us spend all of our energy worrying about taking care of others and leave no time for ourselves. Of course it is an amazing thing to care for others, but when we neglect ourselves we drain our energy, run ourselves down, and make it impossible to give the best care that we can give to our loved ones, our jobs, those in need, etc. So, make it a point to prioritize yourself. Victoria Moran, a well known author and life coach said, make sure you take care of ME in the morning - "ME" stands for Meditation and Exercise. I love this concept and have been trying it myself and I cannot believe how much more positive, grounded and motivated I feel. Give it a try and see if it better prepares you to conquer the day!

Summer is the perfect time to practice taking care of you. In our work-crazed society we can lose sight of the benefits of slowing down and taking time to rest. Before summer passes us by, it's time to enjoy the restorative powers of reconnecting to your body through movement and relaxation. The heat from the sun and longer days gives us energy for a great workout in the outdoors. So try to go for a jog in the morning, hop on your bike, or go for a walk (added bonus if it's with a dog!). Follow up that physical movement with some good quality relaxation. This is a unique time of year when we can exercise and relax in the fresh air so take advantage! Perhaps you go for a bike ride to the beach to soak up the sun by the water. There is something very restorative about water that makes us naturally crave to be near it or in it, so it is a great place to find relaxation. Alternatively, you could take a walk around town and stop at an outdoor restaurant for a great meal and some people watching. I love people watching - it's relaxing and reminds me of being on vacation in Europe in the summer. Even if you are not going anywhere on vacation, pretend that you are! Get out there, move around, and relax. Or just go to bed early for once, will you? Your body will thank you.

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