In the last post, we discussed Honesty as the #1 tool for mastering your health resolutions. In this post, we will discuss the #2 tool, self-respect.

#2– Self-respect

There is only one you, and only you can take care of yourself.

Many people don’t realize it, but we are very important people. We are parents, partners, sons or daughters, brothers or sisters, nieces or nephews, employees, bosses, consumers. Every day, we interact with others in a variety of ways.

What we don’t give enough credit to is how much our interaction with others matters. Have you ever had a smile from a stranger change your day? I have! And if a positive behavior from someone else can make my day, can’t a positive behavior from me make someone else’s day?

With a power that great, surely we all need to be respected and cared for! However, many people put themselves last. In the scheme of the day, picking up the dry cleaning may actually be accomplished instead of self care. Wow! How disrespectful!

Finding Time for Self-Care

Even if you can only take ten minutes a day, ask yourself, “What do I need to do to take care of me?” Whether it’s exercise, relaxation, reading, playing with your kids or fur babies, or even completing a project that you’ve been working on for a while, whatever you choose will be the right answer.

The trick is that it all needs to be a mix. Yes, you need to exercise, eat well, relax, and play. All of these are important and will help you feel like you’re leading a balanced life. If you neglect one or more of these areas, you will start to become unbalanced and stressed. Attend to what has been neglected, and you will start to feel better.

The key is that every day you take time to honor yourself and your desires.