TLDR: Loving yourself and taking care of yourself is one of the most difficulty, and yet most important things you can do. Try putting time for things that help you take care of yourself and/or things that you enjoy into your schedule weekly and don’t change them! You matter!
Today is Valentine’s Day, if that’s something that you think about or “observe”. It’s one of those holidays that some people love and some people hate and some people are indifferent about it. I’m one of the people who is indifferent to the holiday - it’s just another day to me. One thing that I have started doing though on this day, because so many people are worried about who their Valentine is, is encouraging self-care and self-love instead. Why can’t you be your own Valentine? Why can’t you buy yourself a little gift? Or buy yourself something you love? Or take yourself out to dinner or a movie night? You definitely can!
You may be asking yourself “what does this have to do with physical therapy and Live Without Limits”. And honestly, the answer is everything! Here at Live Without Limits, the goal is to focus on your overall health and wellbeing. It is not only about your physical pain or injuries that you have currently or have dealt with previously. The human body systems all have specific and individual functions that they are responsible for, but in reality, they all work together and each one needs to be functioning correctly both individually and together for you to feel your best. One of those “systems” is your emotional well-being. We’re talking mental health in general and emotional health and doing things that you enjoy and that fill up your cup.
Have you ever heard the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup”? It’s so true. We can’t always be giving and helping others when our cup is empty and we have nothing left to give and are burnt out. When we are burnt out, not only does it affect us mentally, it begins to affect us physically as well. This is when injuries and pain are more likely to happen. So we have to do the things that “fill up our cup” again and truly take care of ourselves.
I know I’m saying this like it is an easy thing to do. I will be the first to say that it is not easy to do though. Some people do have an easier time than others, but it doesn’t always come easy. And that’s okay! Start where you can and start small! Set aside just a few minutes for yourself once a week to start. And then build to a few minutes a day, or a bigger chunk of time 1 or 2 times a week. Really think about the things that you enjoy, make you feel better, make you feel happier, or less stressed, or whatever it is that you need in the moment.
If you haven’t started this process yet, start today, on this Valentine’s day. Make yourself your priority at some point today and listen to yourself and check in with yourself and see what it is that you need most right now. Once you figure that out, take some time to do that today! Tell yourself that you love yourself (even if you don’t believe it yet) and let’s get this self-love and self-care journey started for you!
If you have any questions or need any support, email me at livewithoutlimitspt@gmail.com and I will get back to you personally!
Are you ready to start your self-care journey?!
YES - I'm starting today!
NOT YET - I could use some more time or support!
Thanks for being here!
Dr. Katie
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