Self Care IS Health Care!

Just Rest!

Sometimes it’s okay to just rest. 

Your body will let you know when you’ve had enough. 

It’s your responsibility to listen. 

We live in a society that expects everyone to be superheroes.

Supermom does it all - housework, cooking, taking care of the kids, and even volunteering at school, sporting events, and for every activity her children participate in.  She is expected to do these things and she makes the decision to take on that responsibility.

Supermom has been feeling exhausted and pushes herself to honor all of the commitments she's made. People are counting on her!

These types of things happen in most people's life. You want to be a good parent/spouse/worker and you do whatever you can to make that happen.  You spend hours putting in the work that nobody else wants to do and you are totally exhausted! 

You do know you can't go on like that forever, right?

When you are exhausted, this is your body is telling you that it just can't take anymore. If you don't listen to your body, you could end up really sick!

Think of your body as a child.   The pain and exhaustion is your body's way of whispering that it needs something.  If you don't listen when it needs something, you may end up dealing with a full-blown tantrum!

When your body needs to rest or slow down, REST or SLOW DOWN!  Otherwise, it's going to act like a child who needed a nap but never got one!

Stop trying to be a superhero.  It's not good for your body - or your mind!  

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Hope Is Real!

The pain you are feeling is real. However, you don’t have to allow the pain to take over your life.

You are not alone. Many people suffer with chronic pain.

It’s exhausting.

It’s frustrating.

It’s annoying.

You just want to stop hurting and start living again!

I get it. I understand the frustration.

I know that chronic pain doesn’t just go away. Most of the time you will have these issues for the rest of your life.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up hope!

Hope for a pain free day, hour, minute.

Hope for a day that you can get off the couch and have fun.

Hope that one day there could be a cure.

Hope that you will find that one doctor who just learned a new technique that will help you!

No matter how far-fetched your hopes seem now, don’t give up!

LET YOUR ILLNESS INSPIRE OTHERS

What story do you tell when people ask about your illness?

Do you talk about it or change the subject?

I used to be ashamed of my illnesses. I would hide details because they were embarrassing.

I tried to avoid the subject because there’s no way anyone else could possibly understand what I’m going through…until they did!

The first time I was told that my story inspired someone, I thought they were just trying to be polite.

But then it kept happening!

I was inspiring people without even knowing it. I realized that I can help people by just telling my story.

So I will ask again, what story will you tell when someone asks about your illnesses?

Don’t shy away from it. Your story could be exactly what they need to hear. You could change their life and give them hope.

Tell your story!

Be the inspiration to others that you needed at one time. Your story could make the biggest difference in someone else’s life!

KEEP GOING

When it feels like you just can’t go on, take a deep breath and keep going.

Don’t let pain stop you from living your life.

You can do anything - even on the bad days!

Teddy Roosevelt once said that courage is going on when you don't have the strength.

Once again, if your body is telling you to stop, this doesn't mean that you should keep going.

Sometimes you allow your fears to take over so that you don't have to try something new.

You tell yourself that it's dangerous because someone somewhere once told you that it was.

You tell yourself that you can't do it because you aren't sure that you can.

You tell yourself that it's too hard because you are afraid of looking like you don't know what you're doing.

You will never know how strong, intelligent, or courageous you are until you allow yourself to try.

Get out of your comfort zone and allow good things to happen in your life.

Don't sit there and wait for it to happen. Get out there and try it! Who knows, you may just find your newest super power!

YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

You want to be independent. You don’t want to be a burden to the people in your life.

Trying to do it all by yourself makes you stressed and alone.

Life doesn’t have to be that way!

You are allowed to ask for help.

You are allowed to rely on others.

It’s important to talk to the people in your life about the things you can’t do and see who is willing to help you.

Having that conversation is important because it makes them realize what you need. It also gives you an idea of who you can count on for which tasks and when they are able to help you.

Stop trying to do it all by yourself!

Find your support team and allow them to tell you what they are willing to help you with. This can take away your guilt for needing people. It also reduces caregiver burnout.

Who is on your support team?

WHAT HELPS YOUR PAIN?

You are having one of those days when the pain is just so bad that you aren’t sure you can take it anymore.

What is one thing that helps you?

Post a picture in the comments of the thing that helps you.

Who knows, that one thing that helps you could be the one thing that helps someone else.