This has been a tough year for me physically. I’ve struggled with pain and fatigue symptoms that have so far defied a specific name despite my healthcare providers’ best efforts. At this point, I have to say I believe the cause is: neglect.
As I look back on this year, I realize I haven’t been walking my talk. I give all kinds of great advice to my clients that helps them take care of themselves, but I haven’t taken care of myself. Everything else comes first: my husband, my dog, my work, my home. If you’re a woman reading this, you’re very likely nodding your head thinking “Amen, sister!” Women tend to put themselves on the back-burner.
For me, that’s all changed.
I’m calling my approach “Team Lisa“. I’m the captain, and I’ve recruited trusted friends and advisers to join my team. We’ve outlined a weekly plan that focuses solely on caring for me. It’s intense, but at this point, it’s needed. Included in the game plan:
- Walking with my husband and dog two mornings a week
- Working out with a personal trainer two mornings a week
- Regular chiropractic care
- Regular massages
- Daily deep breathing
- Vegetarian eating
- Regular visits to my doctor who wants nothing more than for me to get some sleep
- Visits to my therapist for talk therapy and EMDR. EMDR deserves a blog entry all its own, but I’ll whet your appetite by testifying that EMDR ended my 25-year run with night terrors, as well as shattered some distorted beliefs that have held me back. I’m a big fan.
- The weeks I don’t see her in person, I call my therapist and she asks me if I’ve kept my specific commitments to myself, holding me accountable.
My husband wins the MVP award for the best gift I’m getting this year: a visit to the Canyon Ranch resort. I love Canyon Ranch as much as I love breathing. One night, I laid my cards on the table, saying “I checked the off-season rates, and Robin can go with me to make it cheaper, and I’m working really hard on my health, and I really really really want to go.” My husband replied (and I believe I married him in anticipation of this moment) “That sounds like a good idea.” So I’m off to the Ranch the week before Christmas!
All of this intense self-care is required now because I’ve done a lousy job of caring for myself ongoing. It’s like maintenance for your car. If you don’t change the oil regularly, you’ll fork over a fortune to fix the engine. Same thing here.
Think about your own self-care: are you doing all that you could? What one thing do you wish you could do more? What works well for you? I’d love to read your comments.
Need more encouragement? Check out Prevention not Prescriptions.
Tags: canyon ranch, holidays, self-care, team lisa
What a POWERFUL post! You are now in the performing mode (Business tool: Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing) – keep up the momentum – the sky is the limit.
Thanks! I’m feeling pretty good about myself.
Great post, Lisa! Makes me want to take a hot bath and talk my honey into giving me a good shoulder massage!
You deserve that shoulder massage – enjoy it!
Lisa, wow, GOOD FOR YOU! After my kids left the nest and I had time on my hands, I started to realize how utterly exhausted I was…which started me on my journey similar to yours. Why is it we put ourselves last? Anyway, my journey continues as I lower my weight, get back into regular consistent exercise and really get my health back. This product has helped me tons by supporting my immune system, maybe it could help you too? http://bit.ly/4z7w7N
On another note, isn’t the Prevention vs Prescriptions carnival fabulous? I just love connecting with others who are passionate about the same things I am! Look forward to connecting with you — are you on twitter?
Thanks, Cheryl. And good for you for also recognizing how important self-care is. Find me on Twitter at lcnutrition – looking forward to seeing you there!
[...] In December, I laid out an entire self-care plan (check it out here). [...]