Most people who have a lot of responsibility struggle with self-care, if you also fill the role of caregiver, taking time for yourself is probably overlooked. Being a caregiver, it is imperative to recognize your own physical and emotional needs before you can take care of someone else. By looking out for your own well being, you will be more resilient and prepared for the challenges you face.
Me Time
In order to keep from succumbing to stressors you deal with, you have to learn how to take some time for yourself and look after your own mental health. One way to refocus and keep yourself connected to your internal world and how it can affect your external world is through meditation.
Your level of involvement can vary from simple sessions in your everyday life to immersing yourself in the myriad of techniques available by attending a meditation retreat. Whichever seems more practical to you, you should pursue. Learning how to unwind from your daily life is an essential aspect of self-care.
Warning Signs
You may be sitting there wondering if you should be taking better care of yourself, listen to your body, it will tell you by giving you certain symptoms that say you need to take a bit of time for yourself. Noticing signs of stress should be your wake up call to take steps to take care of your mental health. Some signs to look out for:
- Headaches – when your brain is dealing with stress, it releases chemicals to try to help you prepare for what you are dealing with. These chemicals cause the blood vessels in your brain to change and that manifests itself as a headache.
- Low Energy – dealing with stress is taxing on your body. Your body’s response is to make you feel fatigued.
- Upset Stomach – when stress levels are high, your stomach will produce high levels of acid. Without treatment, this can turn into various gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers.
- Insomnia – it is difficult to relax when your mind is constantly replaying either things that have happened or things you need to get done. Being able to sleep is very important for your overall health. Your body rejuvenates while you are asleep, by denying it of necessary rest, there can be countless ailments that will take their toll.
Benefits of Meditation
You encounter stress every time you are faced with adversity unexpectedly. Through meditation, you are able to lower the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone your body secretes at these times.
Through meditation, you learn to become aware of how your emotions dictate your behavior. By being self-aware, you can get a firm grip on your emotions and emotional responses. Being in control, instead of them controlling you, will help to improve your self-confidence through a positive self-image and understanding of your self-worth.
Recenter Yourself
Meditation is so effective in reducing stress in your life because it teaches you how to control your flow of energy. When you meditate, you are becoming one with yourself and that moment in time. Through these mindful practices, you are learning about yourself at the same time that you are creating a harmony that emanates from within. Those who meditate regularly have a more concentrated attention span and heightened awareness of things around them.
You can’t take care of others until you learn how to take care of yourself first. By improving your own health, you will be able to provide a greater level of care to those who depend upon you.