A Hump Day Message: Making Self-Care a Priority

Never forget how to take care of yourself because others won't forget how to use you.
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by Skip Cohen

​It's Hump Day, and I try it keep it relatively light, but depending on your state of mind, today's topic could be just a quiet reminder or a critical point to help you focus.

Now and then, I share a point from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking. A few days ago, he shared the quote above and then went on to write:

Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. In a world where demands and expectations are constant, and burnout is one of the most prevalent illnesses, it's easy to prioritize others' needs over our own. However, neglecting self-care can leave us vulnerable to being taken advantage of, as people often remember how to use our strengths and resources for their benefit. Learning to say no to preserve yourself is key.

The world is nuts right now. From pissing off Mother Nature to the economy to the political arena, we're flooded with fake news from all sides. On any given day, most of us are fighting off some level of anxiety over the future. With the exception of the weather report, we don't know what to believe. 

At the same time, it's so easy to forget about self-care and help friends and worthy causes, putting our own needs on the back burner. I'm not suggesting anybody become selfish, but being just a little self-centered isn't a bad thing. Caregivers for family members with Alzheimer's learn early on that they can't take care of their loved one if they're not taking care of themselves first. It's no different than a flight attendant speech reminding you that if you're flying with a child, put on your oxygen mask before putting on your kid's.

Lou Mitchell went on to write: Are you taking adequate care of yourself, or are you constantly catering to others' needs? What boundaries can you set to ensure you prioritize your well-being? How can you integrate self-care practices into your daily routine to maintain a healthy balance?

And there's my point - you need to set some boundaries. For me, one area that needs my attention is what I read. I've stopped scrolling through all the bullshit on Facebook. There's one post after another that's fake news, and it's from all sides, as more and more people think their opinion is the only one. Sheila and I have even developed our own technique for watching the news - we pre-record and can get through Lester Holt and David Muir, both 30-minute news broadcasts, in less than 15 minutes!

This doesn't mean we accept the craziness in the world; it's just that our own sanity comes before allowing us to get upset over reports that are yet to be proven true! So, whether it's more sleep, exercise, eating better, setting boundaries on input to your life, or just taking time to smell the roses - you know how to hold focus with you camera, but what about YOU?

Wishing everybody a day when you can focus on what you need most!

​Happy Hump Day!