Ohio State nav bar

Skip to main content

The Ohio State University

  • Help
  • BuckeyeLink
  • Map
  • Find People
  • Webmail
  • Search Ohio State
  • Home
  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars
  • Authors

Family and Consumer Sciences

Live Smart Ohio

Ohio State University Extension

Topics:

The Ohio State University
You are here: Home / Family and Relationships / Taking Time for Me Is a Must

May 31, 2016

Taking Time for Me Is a Must

Life is a roller coaster.  I have been through times in life when I have needed help or care and seasons when I cared for loved ones who experience physical or mental health crises.  Within the past year, I have lost a parent and an uncle who both needed extensive medical care and support.  Several friends are battling serious health situations.  My immediate family has experienced financial and personal struggles.  It has been a tough 12+ months.

It is difficult to take time to focus on myself when so many people around me are in need; however, there are a couple of quotes that make profound statements.  “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” and “Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

I have seen and experienced the pain and loss that occurs when a person gives more than they can afford either financially, physically, or mentally.  So, the moral becomes, “We have to put ourselves first.”

This is a tough lesson to put into practice for many who are naturally generous and giving in every aspect of their life.  When we change our perspective to see that when we are healthy and have met our needs, we are able to give our best self to others, it makes a huge impact.

Learning to say “no”, or “I am unable to help at this time or in that way”, can be nearly impossible for some, but the results impact greatly our own ability to serve.  Mental Health America  offers the tips below for taking care of yourself so that you can continue to care for others:  woman-945427_1920

  • Live healthy. Eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid drugs and alcohol. Manage stress and go for regular medical check-ups.
  • Practice good hygiene. Good hygiene is important for social, medical, and psychological reasons in that it not only reduces the risk of illness, but it also improves the way others view you and how you view yourself.
  • See friends to build your sense of belonging. Consider joining a support group to make new friends.
  • Try to do something you enjoy every day. That might mean dancing, watching a favorite TV show, working in the garden, painting or reading.
  • Find ways to relax, like meditation, yoga, getting a massage, taking a bath or walking in the woods.

Let’s add the reminders that we should refrain from worry which adds to stress.  Aim for being mindful and focusing on the present.  By taking care of me, I have more to offer others.

What are your tips for making YOU a priority?  How do you set boundaries as you continue to support others?  We can all learn through encouragement and support.  Share your successes!  I look forward to your feedback.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

WRITTEN BY: Cheryl Barber Spires, RD, LD, Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension, spires.53@osu.edu

REVIEWED BY: Kristen Corry, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • www.pixabay.com

SOURCES:

  • http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/taking-good-care-yourself
  • https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-complementary-medicine/mindfulness-practices
  • http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5242

REFERENCES:

  • http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/caring-for-the-caregiver.pdf
  • http://www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/care-for-yourself/

Categories: Family and Relationships, Mind and Body
Tags: anxiety, caregiver, Coping with Stress, mental health, Self-care, Take Care of Yourself

Avatar for Cheryl Spires
Avatar for Cheryl Spires

About Cheryl Spires

Cheryl Barber Spires R.D., L.D., SNAP-Ed Program Specialist, has served families throughout Ohio within Ohio State University Extension for 20 years. With a specialization in nutrition, Cheryl has led community health challenges, taught preschool and elementary school programs on making good food and physical activity choices, and assisted educators in teaching meal planning and food preparation series to individuals and families receiving food benefits. Cheryl lives in Wauseon, Ohio, with her husband, Brett, and her daughter, Josie.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

Loving Kindness chart from self to world

Cultivating Loving-Kindness

Exploring the Heart of It All webinar series presented in Autumn 2024

pages of open book shaped into a heart

Making Every Day Sweet

I will serve 2024MLK

Unite, Serve, and Transform on MLK Day to Create the Beloved Community

Follow Us!

  • Facebook

Footer

Need Assistance?

If you are having issues logging into the site, need assistance with updates, or need to request an alternate format please send an email to the EHE Service Desk at servicedesk@ehe.osu.edu stating the nature of your issue and we will assist you. Thank you.
Are you a Live Smart Ohio Author? Log in here!

Categories

  • Food
  • Family and Relationships
  • Money
  • Mind and Body
  • Webinars

Follow us!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
The Ohio State University
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN ECOLOGY
COLLEGE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

© 2025 Live Smart Ohio - Family and Consumer Sciences | The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology | Accessibility | Privacy Policy

%d