Be Selfish! A Giant Step Towards Self Care

As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to an end I wanted to seize the opportunity to write about something really close to my heart for women – SELF CARE.

Too many of us run around after everyone else, keeping our homes, the family, holding down businesses, professions, and society/church commitments. More often than not this can take a toll on us. At times without us even realising and in the more extreme of cases lead to meltdown.

So here’s my take; in the midst of all our commitments I would like to say to you, BE SELFISH. Yes, I repeat, BE SELFISH.”

Heather Stilfusen IG: @rosehill_desgns

Let me explain my kind of selfish.

I really mean BE INTENTIONAL about taking time out to take care of your self. Take time out to REST.

REST is defined as a period of relaxation or freedom from work, activity or worry; calm, tranquillity, a pause from some activity.

Being intentional means putting rest periods into your diaries and planning to make it happen. Listen to these other wise words from the good book:

“Come off by yourselves, let’s take a break and get a little rest.”  ¹

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything ill fitting or heavy on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ²

I encourage you to accept these invites and find REST for your souls.

Here are a few activities you can plan into your dairies:

1. A spiritual retreat
2. A spa break
3. A weekend getaway
4. Visit to a health farm
5. A weekend wrt course
6. A golfing weekend away

As you know yourself best, anything you enjoy doing that will help you get away from it all and take time out, then get that into the diary! I also recommend away time at least once a quarter.

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Bob and Debby Gass in their write up, Take Care of Yourself³ says this:

“Learn to pay attention to your body’s signals and emotional responses to the demands you place on yourself. When you’re tired to the point of distraction, you need to slow down and rest. Yes, there are seasons that require extra time and energy, but even in the midst of these seasons you need to find a way to take care of yourself. If you constantly ignore your body’s aches and pains, work 24/7, live on ready meals, and run on caffeine and adrenalin, you’ll get sick and be forced to slow down because you wouldn’t take care of yourself. Knowing your ‘speed limit’ allows you to know when it’s time to stop, refuel, and replenish, to restore your energy and your soul. Many of us have abused our bodies for so long that we believe our healthiest days are behind us. Not necessarily so! No matter how bad your condition is, there’s help! Your body has the ability to restore itself. God will work with you and in you to bring you back to wholeness if you follow His guidelines for good health. Practise doing everything you do for God’s glory, including eating. Look at your plate and ask if what you’re about to eat is mostly what God created for you to stay healthy. Make a balanced diet a way of life! Each time you choose healthy foods you choose life, which is God’s gift to you. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s good stewardship. By eating well, sleeping enough, exercising, and taking regular breaks, you can increase the effectiveness of your life and bring glory to God.“

As well as the activities mentioned above, here are some of the best medicines for the body and most are available for FREE!

Image Credit: rockstarempirefitness.com

So there you have it. I do hope you get my point. Sisters, I urge you to please take care of SELF. Be Intentional about planning YOU time. Take these appointments as critically as you would book a doctors or dental appointment. Plan to spend time alone or with others doing what relaxes, refreshes or rejuvenates you. But the key I believe is the PLANNING these periods. So I say again, BE SELFISH. It’s a giant step to self care to help preserve our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Here’s to a rested and refreshed YOU.

Blessings ~ RabunaStylist with Love Xx

Sources:

1. Mark 6:30 The Message Bible
2. Matthew 11:28 The Message Bible
3. United Christian Broadcasters – Bob & Debby Gass Word For today ucb.co.uk

Bukky Ayoade

Bukky Ayoade is Image Consultant to the woman of Colour and Faith with a passion to empower women through style. She believes style is and should be accessible to all and is on a mission to make that happen to help women gain confidence and transform their lives.