Taking Care Of You

My great-grandmother had a saying: “Sometimes, you need to take the milk money and buy roses.” With all the responsibilities we have - work, school, family, community obligations - it’s hard to find even a moment for ourselves.

The To Do list keeps getting longer and longer, and the free time we do have is spent worrying about everything we still have to do.

When our minds are constantly in “to-do mode,” we end up running ourselves ragged. Life becomes all work, and the joy is drowned out by exhaustion.

This week’s tip is simple: treat yourself to something you enjoy. For example:

• Indulge in a long bath.
• Eat that chocolate chip cookie.
• Spend an hour reading a book in your favorite chair instead of trying to get ahead on your To Do list.

Allowing yourself a little bit of pleasure without the guilt is important to balance the demands of daily life. Responsibly indulging is self-care; it recharges, refreshes, and helps us get through all we have to do with a little more joy.

Remember, these exercises do not stand in for the help of a licensed professional, and are not intended to be used in place of professional treatment. If you or someone who care about is experiencing a difficult emotional state, Nassau Guidance & Counseling can assist you in finding peace.