ECO MIND: TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

We say “Take care”! But do we actually?

Our beloved ones always tell us “Sweetheart, please take care of yourself”, but do we usually reply? … exactly. And how do we feel about it? Have to admit, I used to be somewhat ashamed but now I tend to disregard it…

I vividly remember when my mom asked me when I was small: "Have you brushed your teeth, darling?" and I knew you didn’t. Yes, this was wrong, unhygienic and embarrassing, and I have heard many times that I may get a toothache, but for some reason I felt lazy to do this. Here, some kind of similar feelings arose — embarrassment, shame, discomfort, maybe even irritation towards the one who says that. Because these words were well targeted and reflected something that I was not doing.

But recently, either with age, or wisdom, or growing health issues and dropping energy levels I have totally reconsidered my attitude towards my own inner resources.

And now when I hear these words, I take them as a kind reminder of how I am supposed to treat myself. And I respond confidently and consciously: “Thank you, I do take care"!

Caring of yourself manifests itself in various occasions. And they do not include pitting yourself or ignoring your surroundings for the sake of your own benefit.

For instance, when you need to go outside in cold weather not even too far, say, to buy pastry around the corner, and then take a short walk to pick up your child from the school, you sometimes think in a rush, “Why would I bother putting on a hat and gloves?” Usually you decide that there is no need. But taking care of yourself is when the “new you”, a careful one, will find both, and a scarf on top and wear them all as carefully and lovingly as mothers tend to wrap their kids.

When you witness that a person who is important to you overloads himself with work and tasks, does not make enough time for rest, keeps complaining about his tough life yet does nothing to ease down, you may be inclined to explain to him the importance of “taking care” and to get nervous in your attempts for his improvement. But the “new you” will realize that your peace is at stake here. Accept the fact that some people have to go through their own path of downs and pitfalls before they reach the realisation of “taking care” and resourceful lifestyle. So take care of your own self and let it go…

Taking care of yourself is to enjoy drinking a lot of water, considering it an integral part of your well-being. Just go and pour yourself drink, no thoughts or feelings involved.

It is when you know that you need to eat freshly prepared food, that gives your body the necessary nutrients and vitamins, and you go all the way to procure the food and cook it for yourself, even if you live alone.

It is when you know how much sufficient sleep means for your daily life and unlimited activities. And that’s why you put in a moral effort by cutting off timeless chats on Skype, saying "no" or "I need to go”, closing your laptop on-time and avoiding opening Instagram “for a mere moment”. Trust me, this would be a real achievement.

Taking care of yourself means evaluating the amount of energy spent on work vs. the rewards one gets from it. Based on that one sometimes makes the decision in favour of relaxing and staying with children. It does not mean permanently downplaying working priorities. But when the balance is ignored or disrupted, you must discover the most life-optimizing ways of doing things, simple and energy-saving. If you feel there is a leak, stop and ask yourself: what am I spending my time and energy on? Having learned how to prioritize, you say "no" to the unnecessary and not-so-urgent issues, and nod "yes" to what is important, desired and pleasant. Check if the balance has been restored, and only then feel free to go back to your mundane activities which still need to get done.

Prioritising means that when you need to grab a bite in the city between two meetings, don’t be lazy to find a reasonable place and eat something healthy. Do make this effort for your own benefit. Or vice versa, if you feel too tired, do not force your body to eat something “right”, now it is time to direct your energy at achieving the immediate task – feeding yourself. So take a sit where you are and yes, enjoy your exceptional happy meal from McDonald's.

We all know what an ecological approach to living is. Sometimes we even think about environmental friendliness in relationships. But do we pay much attention to the ecological behaviour in our attitude towards ourselves?

Not always do the people around you share your view of increasing self care. Yet in the end of the day, it is to the benefit of everyone around you. A mother must be resourceful to be able to stay positive for her children, a wife must reserve strength to cook and smile to her husband, a man should pay sufficient attention to his physical well-being in order to perform his job well and provide for the family.

So, arrange your own lifestyle in such a way to be as careful as possible to yourself. Save resources and energy whenever applicable, so that your general aim becomes accumulating strength and channelling it towards the highest benefit.

It is a life-changing approach but everyone should experience it. Since recently I am “saving” myself, my inner child, my soul. And I no longer need an excuse, an "official permission" or approval. My own value and importance is enough.