What does “taking care of one’s self” involve, and why is it important?
It may seem that eating reasonably good food and taking the stairs instead of the elevator are enough to qualify for taking care of our bodies, but the benefits of taking proper care of ourselves are innumerable. Some of the benefits are discussed below.
When you don’t take care of yourself, you are at risk for burnout. Burnout is an ailment that is quickly spreading in our society, as people from all walks of life and economic status are spending more time working and less time getting rest and eating healthy. This makes it difficult to take care of yourself. Burnout ruins a person’s physical and emotional well being.
Exercise is one of the most important aspects of self-care. Many people cut this vital activity out of their life. Start a schedule for regular exercise. Simple exercise activities such as walking, jogging, weight lifting, and others are easy and convenient. Making it a habit and building a regimen as well as sticking to it brings rewards. Not only is it good for the heart, but it is also good for your strength, especially when old age begins to approach. Keeping to a regular exercise routine” not only improves physical fitness, but also keeps our minds feeling better.
Sleep deprivation is another dangerous enemy that has slowly become part of our culture. The cost is forgetfulness, fatigue and reduced output from work. Most people notice that noticed that when they have not had enough sleep, they tend to make more mistakes. Sleep deprivation causes loss of memory. Make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Having a short 30-minute nap in the middle of the day will keep us feeling refreshed. Your mind, body, and brain will thank you for it.
Taking care of yourself also makes it easy for you to take care of others. Although taking care of others ahead of yourself may seem like a noble idea, in reality putting yourself last on the list leaves you tired, uncomfortable and unhappy. Taking care of yourself will help you feel better about yourself. It is important to know when to refuse help to others especially when you are feeling like you are nearing your limit. Learn how to stop saying yes when you mean no. Your friends and family will be grateful for it in the long run.
Spending time worrying about the future is another habit that wastes us away. The simple fact remains that you can’t predict the future. Researchers have proven that many people spend too much time thinking ahead. This creates a lot of unnecessary stress. In addition to a lot of people spending way too much time trying to predict the future, pessimism regularly seems like the stance people take, always predicting that the future will turn out bad. We can’t control the future, but being optimistic and hoping for a positive outcome is good for the heart and protects it from stress.
Taking good care of ourselves is necessary to our health and wellness. You will be more productive, efficient, and more energetic towards work. You will find you have more time for friends and family. Most importantly, you will be happier and have real peace of mind.
