Food For Your Soul: Dawn McGee
“You can’t pour from an empty cup”.
This is a phrase we hear often and I am sure by now you know that it’s all about the importance of taking care of oneself before helping others.
In a literal sense, you can’t pour from an empty cup because there is nothing in the cup to pour out.
“You have to put the mask on yourself first, before you can help anyone else.”
Similarly, if we don’t take care of ourselves and our own needs, we won’t have anything to give to others. It’s important to prioritize our own physical, emotional, and mental well-being so that we can be our best selves and be better equipped to help and support others when needed.
Just like they say in the airplane, you have to put the mask on yourself first, before you can help anyone else.
The Big And The Small:
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you have to plan an expensive spa day or a big trip away, or anything else that might add to your stress level. Of course, if that’s your jam and you have the resources, go for it! I love a good getaway, but I don’t do them weekly. You need both – the big self-care and the smaller, daily self-care.
Most of the time, it’s the little things that you do daily and consistently, taking the time for yourself that make all the difference.
4 Tips To Easily Add More Daily Self-Care:
Here are some ideas on how you can add more daily self-care:
1.Positive Affirmations:
As part of your morning routine (read The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod if you don’t have one yet), start your day with a positive affirmation and some intention-setting. Take a few minutes to focus on a positive mindset and what you want to accomplish that day.
2. Take Breaks:
Take intentional breaks throughout the day. No matter how many things are on your To-do list, it’s important to give yourself permission to take breaks and recharge your batteries. This can be as simple as taking a short walk, doing some stretching, or taking a few deep breaths.
3. Practice Meditation:
Take a few minutes to quiet your mind and focus on the present moment. Try a guided meditation if you’re new to meditation. Or if you don’t think you can sit still, try tai chi, which is also known as moving meditation. This can help reduce stress, increase focus, and promote overall well-being.
4. Play:
Do something you enjoy. Make time for activities that bring you joy, whether that’s reading a book, listening to music, or spending time in nature. This can help you recharge and feel more fulfilled.
“By focusing on self-care, you’ll also keep your stress levels lower than otherwise.”
Small Acts Of Daily Self-Care:
“It’s not selfish, but selfless to be first, to be as good as possible to you, to take care of you, to keep you whole and healthy, that doesn’t mean that you disregard everything and everyone, but you gotta keep your cup full.” – Iyanla Vanzant
By focusing on self-care, you’ll also keep your stress levels lower than otherwise. Which, in turn, keeps your cortisol levels lower than otherwise. Which, in turn, keeps your inflammation lower than otherwise. And which reduces your risk for chronic inflammatory diseases. I bet this all seems much more important now, doesn’t it?
Remember, filling your cup doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Even small acts of self-care can make a big difference in your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Find what works for you and make self-care a priority, even on the busiest of days.
Start out with just a little something and work to expand one percent at a time from there. You’ll feel better and also be better able to show up for those special people around you. Want more of this? See below for more resources.
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About The Author:
Dawn McGee is a Nutrition Evangelist and Lazy Cook. She is super passionate about putting the fun back into being healthy and does that by teaching women how to eat to serve their body, brain, and soul so that they can get off the sidelines and back to doing all of the things that bring them joy. She works with women who are ready to make their health a priority and just need someone to help them get started and guide them through the process.
Dawn has been coaching clients in person, online, in groups, and in a 1:1 capacity for more than a dozen years. Prior to becoming a nutrition and fitness coach, she spent over 25 years in the high-tech industry, so she truly understands the life of busy professional women.
Join her free group www.facebook.com/groups/NeverDiet and follow her on IG @dmnutrition and on FB @dmnutritioncoach to hear about all the other fun stuff she has (and get a ton of free + valuable info) If you’re ready to cut through the noise, grab her free guide to 7 Nutrition Lies here –> Free Guide: 7 Nutrition Lies We’ve All Been Fed. Join our 28-Day Jumpstart – not another diet or eating program, but the starting point to truly shift your mind and body.
