Weighing The Facts: taking care of yourself

This week's R.I.S.E. (recovery inspiration strength exercise) is to Plant Seeds Of Recovery.

Imagine yourself standing in a garden. It's bare. The soil has been turned, amended, and fertilized, waiting to be seeded. This is your recovery garden. What grows here will depend on the seeds you choose to plant in it, and the care you give it.

Each thought is like a seed and so it's important that we are careful about the seeds we allow to take root. Simply put, we reap what we sow.

Visualize yourself:

with a handful of big, healthy, seeds. Each one labeled with a word of your choosing
on your knees, the sun shining down, birds singing, a warm breeze
taking your time to plant each seed carefully
watering it lovingly
watching it grow

Tend to your garden every day so it will thrive. Don't view it as a chore. Have fun with it. See it as relaxing, self-healing, and fruitful. Keep it positive.

Even when we're good at staying positive, negative thoughts are bound to creep in now and again, but we don't have to water them, fertilize them, and help them grow. Consider them a weed and start weeding!

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©Weighing The Facts

picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/tgerus/4662650273/in/photostream/

This week's R.I.S.E. (Recovery Inspiration Strength Exercise) is to give yourself some "Me Time" every day.

Life is hectic. It keeps us running. As we tend to our many obligations, we often put ourselves on the back burner ... quickly slipping lower and lower on our own priority list. It doesn't take long to find ourselves overwhelmed, tired, and even disheartened.

Everyone needs to recharge. Add recovery efforts to the mix and recharging takes on yet another layer of importance. We cannot be any good to anyone (including ourselves) if we're worn out and discouraged. Taking "me time" is healthy for our spirits, minds, bodies, and our recovery. It's even beneficial for those who share our daily lives.

Where can you find the time to devote to yourself when your days are already filled to the brim?

Taking time for yourself doesn't have to be an hour long obligation (but if you've got an hour, take it!).

Me time can be as simple as taking 15 (more is better) minutes to:

sip a cup of your favorite tea, undisturbed, feet up, relaxing.
read a few pages of a delicious book while waiting for your child to get out of (drama, band, sports) practice.
grab some headphones and listen to your favorite music or relaxation cd while walking the dog (as long as you enjoy walking the dog).

.... you get the idea.

Do not feel guilty for giving this to yourself. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. It's necessary. Like the saying goes, it's time to put yourself at the top of your own priority list.

So, just some simple ground rules:

during me time you must let go of all the things your mind is juggling or worrying about.
you cannot devote this time to a chore, task, or phone call that's waiting for your attention.
let it be known to those who share your home that this time is sacred and you're not to be disturbed. They'll catch on after a few times (if you have little ones, let another adult be in charge while you are taking care of you).
Be alone during this time. It's too easy to be distracted if you're not.
Do this EVERY day (more than once if you can).
Enjoy your time!

Don't worry if it doesn't go well at first. Don't give up. You'll feel more comfortable as you go along.

You are going to be amazed at what a difference letting go of your obligations, and giving yourself a little much need attention for a few minutes, can make in how you feel and function.

Have fun with it!

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©Weighing The Facts

picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/meddygarnet/3392686660/in/photostream/

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