The Importance of Self Care

 

 

My goal for today was this: 

Drink more water.

Sounds like a no brainer, right? But that’s the thing....sometimes I find myself at 2 o’clock in the afternoon having drank zero (pretty sure the water used for my coffee doesn’t count). 

Unfortunately, self care is not always high on my priority list.  

Not because I think it’s unimportant. It’s just that I’m usually depleted before I remember that. 

If you are a parent or caregiver, in ministry, in healthcare (we are so guilty), or the nurturing type, you can probably relate. 

Because meeting the needs of others is always the priority. And loving other people well is a beautiful thing. 

But the result of self neglect? Not so beautiful. 

It leads to irritability, moodiness, poor sleep, poor concentration, anxiety and lack of peace. 

Like when I find myself feeling grumpy in the middle of the day with no apparent trigger.  

Or when my dog begging for a scratch behind his ear feels like too much. Seriously? 

It’s symptomatic of something more going on internally. 

You can’t give out to others what you haven’t received yourself. 

There’s nothing wrong with investing in you. Or with allowing yourself to refuel. 

Especially in the height of this season of giving. 

So drink more water. Take a nap. Take a walk. Pray more. Unplug more. Sip your coffee a little slower. Pet the poor dog. 

The best gift you can offer the world is you at your best. 

 

Leave a comment