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Taking time for daily self-care is vital and necessary
and should not be seen as a luxury.
Many of us have a hard
time balancing taking care of ourselves with taking care of our family
responsibilities. For people with young children, this can be especially
challenging, but even people without children have obligations to care
for extended family, partners, pets, and the home in which they live.
It’s easy to lose track of our own needs as we give ourselves to the
people, pets, and places we love. However, it is essential to their
well-being that we take care of ourselves, filling our own wells with
water so that we have something to offer when we return home each day.
It is easy to get caught
up in the demands of home life because they never stop. There is always
one more thing you can do, another dish in the sink, a counter that
needs wiping, or a person who needs a ride somewhere. If you don’t set
some boundaries, you will find yourself on an endless journey of
housework and doing for others. Eventually, you will probably feel
drained and out of touch with your inner life force. Instead of waiting
for this to happen, integrate self-care into your daily schedule. Even
Buddha insisted that he have one hour completely to himself every day.
There are times when even that will not be possible—for example, with a
new baby or a sick relative. At times like this, retreating inward
energetically can be a lifesaver. You can always find five minutes to
close your eyes and breathe consciously. You may even be able to meditate.
Most of the time, though,
it is possible to set aside a full hour for yourself each day. In
addition, scheduling a longer interval of time, perhaps on a weekly
basis, can really help to restore your energy. Get a massage or go to a
movie or out with a friend. Taking time to experience the world outside
of your home makes returning home all the more wonderful. In the same
way, taking care of yourself is a natural complement to taking care of
your home and family.
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