It's Time to Put Yourself First

By Donna Stark

Are you finding that you have less and less time to do what you love because you are constantly putting others first? Are those work emails, school volunteer hours, and sports practices cutting into your ability to focus on improving your health? It doesn’t matter if you work at home or another location, if you have two children or eight, the need is the same. You need to be able to have moments during the week when you can focus on yourself. Moms need it and dads need it. Caregivers, teachers, bosses, and coaches need it. Really, everyone needs it, so why are so many people reluctant to do anything about it?

Find Yourself Again

We are so busy trying to be everything for everyone else, that it’s no surprise the one person being pushed to the side is ourselves, and we usually don’t realize how important it is to take some personal time until something happens. Until the time comes when we hit a brick wall out of sheer exhaustion, until we become sick or overweight, or until someone asks us what we like to do for fun and we really can’t come up with anything because we simply don’t remember. Don’t lose yourself! Here are some easy tips you can use to give yourself that much needed personal time.

• Schedule it - Have you heard the saying, “What gets scheduled gets done.”? Well, if it is true for work and your kid’s activities, then it’s also true for your personal time, so schedule it. Use this time to do something you miss or something you have been wanting to do. Want to grab a coffee, meander through a favorite store, or go for a run? Now is the time.
• Let go of the guilt - Many people find themselves overstressed from the constant tug-of-war between work, family, and social responsibilities, and the guilt that comes along with trying to make everyone happy. Try to let go of that guilt and remember that unless you are at your best, you won’t be able to give your best.
• Find a hobby - It’s hard, I know. After spending so much time on others, it’s easy to forget what we liked to do. So, if you are unsure where to begin, think back to how you used to fill your time before you had children. Were you at the driving range every Saturday morning, did you read during your free time, or could you be found in the kitchen baking up a storm? Whatever you loved, start adding some of it into your week.

Make Yourself a Priority

You need time to yourself, so make it a priority! Schedule it on your calendar and enjoy your time alone doing what you love! It’s a great way to lose the stress of your week and come back feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle what lies ahead of you!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eagan, Minn.