When you’re excited about what you’re doing – whether it’s your D.S. business, a hobby, a new job, etc.,  – you’re typically running on sheer adrenaline.  It’s great for awhile, but eventually what happens?  You burn out.  I’ve been so excited at times, I forget to eat.  I can’t sleep.  I can’t focus on anything except what’s on my mind.

For me, personally, I have to be extra careful.  When I get over-stressed, my body will go into a full-blown Fibromyalgia flair, which can leave me bedridden for hours or days.  My body can’t differentiate between good stress and bad stress – so even good stress will cause a flair.  I’ve grown to accept my limitations and have been forced to honor them – which compels me to share with you what I feel is the most important gift you can give yourself – self care.

Stress kills – from heart attacks and high blood pressure to cancer.  Don’t wait until you have an invisible illness to incorporate healthy habits into your every day life.

What happens when you don’t take care of yourself?  You get stressed.  You get sick.  You get ornery.  You fight with your husband.  You yell at the kids.  The list goes on and on.  At times you turn into a psycho-bitch from hell.  You know what I’m talking about.  We’re all guilty.  It’s as if you don’t even recognize yourself, let alone have the ability to identify how you got there or how to bring yourself back from the abyss.

You absolutely need to find time for yourself.  You need to feed your soul.  Only you know what does the trick for you.  I have ritual every morning – I sit with my coffee until I wake up.  I read.  I get my bearings.  My husband typically doesn’t intrude – as he knows I need my time to wake up.  You might say I’m not a morning person so maybe the poor guy is afraid of me.  At night, I soak in Eucalyptus bubbles & Epsom salts for my Fibro, and it’s my time to unwind and prepare for rest.  I also drop everything throughout the day and either take my dog for a walk, tidy up the house (yes, I enjoy this), or – like today – grab my suit and head to the pool for an hour.

Your body and soul will give you that gentle nudge either through aches and pains in your back from sitting, knots in your stomach from stress, distraction because your mind needs a break, or eye strain from the computer.  Whatever the signs – listen to them.  The more you take care of yourself, the more productive you’ll be.  The more you practice, the better you’ll get.  I’ve practiced so long, I can even drop dead in my bed many days for an afternoon nap.  Not just a light nap, I’m talking a full-blown snoring, sloppy, dreamy sleep that almost makes me feel guilty for the indulgence.

I ask you … what do you need?  What is your body and soul begging for that you’re starving it from?  And why?

The more you can avoid the burn-out, the more you’ll sustain your productivity .  The more sustainable your productivity, the more success you’ll see.  It’s a win-win.

Try it … you’ll like it.

-Jules-

“Be brave, be kind, be bold, be fierce, be YOU”