3 Ways to Put Yourself First Every Day
By Genevieve Cunningham
It's hard to put ourselves first. If you have a family, you probably already know this statement to be true. When you shop, you start looking for yourself and end up buying things for your children. When you take a moment to relax, you begin to think about all of the things you need to get done. And this doesn't even factor in the time. Most of us feel like we simply don't have enough time to put ourselves first. But is that true? Or is it possible that we're not using our time wisely? If you're interested in learning to put yourself first, take a look at these tips for making yourself a priority starting today.
Use Your Mornings
Mornings are one of the best times to get a little time to yourself. The world is asleep. Your family is asleep. If you're willing to wake up just a little bit earlier, you can spend a few moments alone with your thoughts. Or if you'd rather, you can use that time to study, exercise, or participate in a personal hobby. When we're already short on time, we have to use the little moments, and the early mornings might be the only time that some have available.
Get Away for Lunch
For some, lunch is a time to commune with friends or coworkers. For others, it's a time to eat while you catch up on work. But what if we used that time for ourselves instead? Take your lunch with you, lock your door, and spend some time alone. Or go for a walk around the block. Or get in a quick yoga session. If all you have available during the day is 30 minutes at lunch, use that time for yourself -- however you may need it.
Insist on a Wind Down Routine
Winding down is good for mental and physical health. It helps calm the nerves, lower overall stress, encourages sleep, and improves the function of multiple body systems. For many, this is the first thing to go when life gets busy. Instead, we go, go, go until the moment it's time to fall into bed. But if you want to put yourself first, insist on a little time to wind down. Schedule it into your day, and treat it like an important meeting that can't be missed. Though you might feel guilty at first, it won't take long until you recognize its importance in your daily routine.
We're often taught that putting ourselves first is selfish or unnecessary. But it's actually one of the best things we can do for our overall health and wellness. Use these tips to put yourself first, and you may be able to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health from here on out.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Clemente, Calif.