How to prioritize yourself is healthy habit #1.
When my youngest daughter was finally potty trained, I thought we were through with accidents.
However, that was not the case.
You see, she would get busy, and she would wait too long.
The next thing I knew she would yell out, “I gotta go!!!!” and there would be a mad rush to the bathroom.
Nine times out of ten, the next thing I would hear was, “I didn’t make it!”
Friends, this is exactly what happens when we don’t prioritize ourselves:
- We ignore our most basic needs.
- We wait too long in discomfort.
- We rush for a solution.
- And, if we neglect our discomfort too long, there are consequences and accidents.
Interestingly enough, neglecting to take care of our most basic needs can continue on through adulthood.
In fact, there was a whole discussion about not taking the time to go to the restroom in a Facebook group I am in.
This is what was said:
I used to put off peeing for hours. I’d get progressively crankier and short tempered. There was always something “urgent” happening, so it continually got pushed to “later”—when I was 1000% desperate. It (peeing) felt so selfish? Dumb, but true.
Anonymous
Can you relate to the depth to which we can neglect our own selves?
How to Prioritize Yourself
No one else can care as much about your health as you do, so you must prioritize it. When you are healthy and functioning at peak levels, you are then able to pour out and help those you love.
Here are the healthy ways to prioritize yourself:
Start by making those doctor appointments.
Meet with your doctor, naturopath, or chiropractor.
Make that dental appointment you’ve been putting off.
Have you considered seeing a therapist?
Put it on the calendar and make it happen.
Once you’ve committed to getting basic care for yourself, the next step is a simple reflection.
What basic needs have you been neglecting?
If you are coming up blank, look first to your most basic needs.
When you find yourself getting progressively cranky and uptight, are you:
- Tired?
- Thirsty?
- Hungry?
- In need of a restroom?
- Hot?
- Cold?
As busy wives, mothers, students, and employees, we are conditioned not to listen to our bodies.
You would be surprised at how just going to the restroom and getting a glass of water can be exactly what you need to start feeling better.
Paying attention to what your body is telling you isn’t selfish. That is prioritizing yourself.
Learning to tune in to your body, to listen to what it needs, and to respond in a loving way is just the beginning of becoming healthy and happy naturally.
Now you are ready to start on Healthy Habit #2.
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