How important is putting ourselves first in life? Many of you may have grown up being told “don’t be selfish” and that your needs come second. Is this a healthy thought? Current research is showing that you cannot function very well if you don’t take care of yourself. Just think of what is said on a plane when the flight attendant is doing the safety checks, “put the oxygen mask on yourself first’, if not you won’t be able to take care of others, such as your children or people who need assistance.
Become Happier, Healthier and Fitter!
Recently, I came across a great book on self-care, The Self-Care Solution; A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier and Fitter- One Month at a Time, by Dr. Jen Ashton, the Medical Correspondent for ABC News. The book is the story of her experience of incorporating self-care practices into her life for a year and what she experienced. As Dr. Ashton explains in the introduction to the book, this is not a scientific study, but a sharing of what happened to her each month. The book not only stresses the importance of self-care but, gives a twelve month plan on how to execute a self-care strategy using different wellness activities each month. Not only did I come across the book, but I got to meet Dr. Ashton at a bookstore in NJ while she was promoting the book. I will tell you taking care of yourself does pay off, she looks great!
Dr. Ashton’s book and strategy is brilliant because she realizes and supports the idea that change happens by taking small steps, changing habits and by performing this new behavior daily until it becomes part of our routine.
Dr. Ashton’s 30 Day Healthy Habits
No alcohol
Meditation
Push-ups and planks
Hydration
More steps
Less sugar
Laughter
There are more tips in the book but this gives you a good idea. These new behaviors or actions were introduced each month and practiced for thirty days until they became part of her daily routine. The beauty of the book is that there are no rules or regulations in executing the suggestions. A person may decide to try the new behavior for 30 days and not continue into the next month or incorporate and build on these behaviors- it is totally up to the reader. Dr. Ashton explained that she approached each new healthy habit with curiosity, openness and no judgement. What she did share was that after a year of monthly challenges, her self care practices were deep and and meaningful. It affected her overall being, the way she acted, thought, felt about herself and how she treated others. Self-care was truly a way of taking care of her “inner” self, her health and her outer appearance.
How Do You Change
As a nurse patient advocate and health and wellness coach, assisting clients to change their health habits is part of what I do. You may find it hard to make lifestyle changes that are good for your health. You may try to make some changes in your diet and exercise regimen but you can’t seem to maintain the healthy change. You may be under stress and have been told about the benefits of doing meditation but this just seems impossible. You may be knowing that your time is limited and you feel selfish and like you are avoiding your responsibilities if you put yourself first.
What can you do to understand the importance of self-care? Using the strategy in Dr. Ashton’s book may resonate with you or you may just need to forgive yourself of any “failures” and just start over using small steps that feel good to you and work with your schedule. Getting an accountability partner, either a friend or a health and wellness coach, can be a good start as well.
February is a month of “the heart” and it is a perfect time to consider your heart both physically and emotionally. Consider adopting one new heart healthy habit this month and one new emotional heart habit like caring about your thoughts and feelings and giving your self the gift of loving yourself first. The easiest tip I offer to clients as a health coach is powerful and free. Deep breathing regularly throughout the day can have an amazing impact not just on your heart but on your entire being. Let’s do it!