As a student in the school of life, I have learned over the years that in order to take care of others, I have to take care of myself first. In the past, when I was too busy to take care of me, I would some how self-destruct either by getting sick, feeling depressed and over-stressed, or by having skin or digestive problems. I was forgetting the thyself part of love thy neighbor as thyself.
After that realization, I started to take care of myself so I could better take care of those I love. I found out what helps me relax and unwind and began to uncover the things that make me go ahhhhhhhh. This is a list of things that make me feel good and help me relax. Now every time I begin to feel stressed and wound up, I look at the list and do something on it. My list has some quick, simple and free things on it like take a five minute walk outside or smell something pleasant or take six deep breaths as well as more extensive relaxation practices.
Since then, I have included myself on the list of people I take care of and have enjoyed every holiday season, no matter how busy or seemingly impossible the demands. Maybe as you continue through your holiday experience, you could give yourself this gift…and take at least 10 minutes a day to take care of thyself.
