Why taking care of yourself is NOT selfish

About 90% of my clientele at iamwell are moms. They are moms that love their kids more than you could imagine. They make sure the laundry is done, dinner is on the table and homework is taken care of. They volunteer in the classrooms, bring snacks to soccer games and taxi the kids around from dance lessons to gymnastics. They prepare their childrens lunches, make sure they shower, plan play dates, birthday parties and sleep overs. They rush their kids to and from every single event on his or her crazy schedule. They sneak a bite or two in when they get 10 seconds to breath and than it's back on the grind again. By night time they're exhausted and ready to crash in bed before starting all over again the next day.

The thought of taking an hour out of the day for themselves sounds selfish to them. How would their family survive? How would everything get done? Now, i don't have kids yet but I do have a business which I feel like is kind of the same thing. Sun up to sun down I feel like if i'm not running around like a crazy person my business will fail. Taking a break for myself to do some yoga or go on a walk is absurd! Think of all the things I could get caught up on in that hour! 

The truth is there is absolutely no reason why I should ever feel guilty about taking time for myself. And whats even more true is there is no reason why YOU should ever feel guilty about taking time for yourself. It's actually a necessity. A very important one at that. Here's why.

Taking care of yourself makes you more productive.
When you're going non stop and don't make time for your health, you are more likely to get burnt out, sick, stressed and irritable. Taking as little as a 20 minute break during your day to breath and enjoy a cup of tea can be beneficial for your health. Make a point to schedule sometime each day to do something for yourself. The better you feel, the more you will actually be able to accomplish in the long run (and probably enjoy it a lot more!)

You are important.
Yes your kids are important, your husband is important, your job is important but guess what, so are you! You and your health are SO important. We don't think about things like heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes until they happen to us. If you don't take time for yourself now, chances are those things will rule your life down the road. Don't let that happen. Start to believe that your health is just as important as anyone else's. Take time to eat breakfast every morning. Taking time to pack an ice chest full of healthy food for yourself. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and go on a bike ride. 

Caring for yourself helps you realize your worth.
When you begin to make yourself a priority you begin to realize just how valuable you truly are. Feeling worthy effects other areas in your life as well such as a higher self esteem, positive body image and healthier choices being made.

Your children are learning from you.
I don't care if you have a 2 year old or an 18 year old, they are learning from you and what you're doing. If you're taking care of yourself, nourishing your body and speaking kindly about yourself that's what they are going to pick up on. If you're running yourself into the ground, surviving off of caffeine and a stress case all day because your schedule is jam packed, they'll pick up on that too. You're kids pick up on things that might seem tiny to you. Those are how their habits are formed. Make your self care a priority and your children will learn to do the same.

So what are some things you can do for self care?

• Read a book
• Take a walk
• Take a class
• Meditate
• Go for a run
• Sit outside (without your phone!)
• Make a healthy meal
• Do your favorite workout
• Draw, paint or color
• Do something that makes you HAPPY

Let me know what some of your favorite things are that you do for self care.
Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

XX
​Hanna