I was en route to Florida on Saturday, digging into the January issue of Oprah and reading about her latest struggles, not only with her weight but with self-care.  I couldn’t help but identify with her, not about the weight issue, but definitely about self-care.

I’m continually amazed and sometimes baffled by the fact that even though I support my clients in creating a healthy lifestyle, I don’t always practice the same level of self-care. I get busy, sometimes overwhelmed, juggle multiple priorities of running my business, working with clients, tending to family matters, spending time with my husband Bruce, and a whole host of other things that seem to occupy my time. And what happens to self-care? I put it on the back burner or it goes right out the window.

The question is, if I can take such amazing care of everyone else what gives for myself? In the article, Oprah mentioned that she fell off the wagon of self-care and her weight gain was a reflection of that. And even though she knew all the right things to do to take care of herself, she still didn’t do it.

I can totally relate. Self-care is hardly rocket science. Any of us are totally capable of giving ourselves some tender loving care.  But in this day and age of a never-ending to do list and trying to do it all, self-care can become something to get around to, not make a priority.

So with 2009 just around the corner, now’s the time to start making your self-care plan. What are you committed and ready to do for yourself in 2009 that will help you achieve your other goals? 

Here are just a few of the self-care activities I plan to work on consistently:

• drink more water
• get more rest 
• wear my pedometer every day
• make time to read for pleasure, not just for work
• plan a weekend getaway with the girls – Jannae, Michelle and Scherri
• walk in my favorite park
• make time to stay connected with my friends
• laugh everyday

 What about you? What will you do to take amazing self-care of yourself and how will it help you maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Filed under: Healthy lifestyle, Self-care