Be There For Yourself

By Nataliya

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Different things that happen in our lives can cause us to put our physical and mental health on the back burner. Some examples of this could include:

• Work Stress
• School
• Family
• Friends
• Depression And Anxiety

 If you are anything like me, you may feel pressure to perform at the highest quality, and show up for everyone in your life that you consider important. Although those things are important, you may have to sit back and evaluate how much time, and energy you are giving to those things, and how much you are giving to yourself.

We do have responsibility to work and the people who are integral parts of our lives. However, we have just as much responsibility to ourselves. 
Due to stress, and just going through the motions we may not realize when we are becoming overwhelmed and therefore lacking the ability to pour back into ourselves.

Examples being: Having a hard long day at work, feeling inadequate at what you do, working overtime, having issues with co-workers, issues with management etc. Dealing with these types of scenarios day in and day out for weeks at a time. 
How are you giving yourself care, breaks, attention and recharging afterwards? Are you making it a point to do this at all? 

It's very important we recharge and refresh ourselves after doing anything mentally or physically strenuous, like working or school.
In what ways can you do this? Some examples of activities we can do to recharge are: 

• Sleeping
• Reading
• Writing
• Taking a relaxing bath
• Taking a walk

When we have several bad days at work are we talking to anyone about it? It seems small, and tedious but not talking about things that may happen to us builds up overtime. Having issues at work and or school, are big contributions to having mental health breakdowns or declines. 
If you are having trouble at work or school with anyone. Speaking with someone you trust to talk to is very beneficial!

When it comes to friends and family or anyone else who are actively a part of your life, they can be just as draining as work or school. 
We have to recognize when it's time to take breaks or disconnect from them too. Why would there be a reason to do this you might wonder.
The people we love can sometimes become a weight on us and just as demanding of our time as anything else. 

Do you sometimes find yourself overly available for your friends, family or acquaintances? 

Because you care for them you might find yourself always available when they need you. For instance, it could be to talk on the phone, help them with tasks, hangout often, vent ect. You may be thinking - none of those things are terrible at their core. You are absolutely correct! However, if you are constantly showing up from others, in whatever capacity that might be, and not for yourself you are doing yourself a disservice. When everyone else around you may be fully benefiting from the role you play in their lives. 

Taking a break from friends and families requests and or demands to work on showing up for yourself is absolutely imperative.
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Making sure you are giving yourself breaks, alone time and various pleasures that you enjoy after being drained from working is necessary! 

Don't forget to water yourself. Treat yourself like a gardener would a flower,  nurture yourself everyday.