You Are Priceless! The Importance Of Every Day Self Care

It is no big surprise that most women are far better at taking care of their loved ones than they are at taking care of themselves. It almost seems to come hardwired in the DNA, and if that is not enough, our cultural messages from early on say, "Don't be selfish or ask for help. You can do it on your on, put other's needs before your own." It's no wonder then that when you mention self care to many women, they draw a blank or begin to squirm. Take time just for me? I could never do that. Buy myself flowers - no way!

You are worth more than these negative attitudes; you deserve to love yourself more. It is time to squash those ideas and claim new ones. How? By stating two clear and compelling reasons why you cannot afford to take have a self care deficit and taking three steps to begin turning this around today.

Two clear and compelling reasons why you cannot afford to do anything less than taking great care of yourself:When you do not take care of yourself ALL areas of your life suffer. Your performance and resourcefulness on the job and/or as a parent are diminished. Your health and well being are compromised and your joy suffers as life begins to feel flat. Imagine the price you pay!

You age faster when you do not take care of yourself. The greatest cause of early aging is stress. A self care deficit is the precursor to stress.

Have I got you considering the possibility that you can't afford to skip self care? Yes? I can hear some of you saying, Sounds like a great idea but the reality is ... I'm too busy, I can't afford it, people will think I am crazy. I hear you and I have a solution, in fact I have three solutions.

Three Baby Steps to Better Self Care

Baby Step One: Make a list of 10 ways you can practice enhanced self care. Perhaps taking a bubble bath for as long as you'd like, joining the gym and actually going to work out, saying no more often rather than yes to everything and everyone, pausing to breathe deeply throughout the day. Think about all the facets of your life: your health, the environment you live and work in, your finances, your relationships, etc. Got the idea?

Baby Step Two: Take that list and expand it to 50 ways.

Baby Step Three: Now take that list and expand it, yet again, to 100 ways! That's right. Your list is not complete until there are 100 items on it. Big ones, small ones, wild ones, routine ones; get a friend to brainstorm with you. Pick up a great book on self care. Do whatever it takes to make your Self Care 100 List

Two compelling reasons combined with a list of 100 ways to practice self care leaves you with no excuses and the leverage you need to get started today. Make a choice. Make the declaration, I am worth it! Put yourself first on your priority list and watch as all areas of your life begin to flourish as a result.

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Corrie Woods is a Women's Life Coach, Speaker, and Author whose passion is supporting women in designing and living lives they love. To learn more about her new book, The Woman's Field Guide to Exceptional Living, her services, and her free ezine, Tips for Living a Life You Love! go to [http://www.womansfieldguide.com]