Do you take better care of everyone else than you do yourself? If you are nodding your head yes, you are like many other people who struggle with their weight. You may try hard to please others, to help them and be kind. This may help you feel good about yourself and could be the way you try and make/maintain friends – by taking care of them.
But, What about You? Being Your Own Caretaker is Equally Important.
What about your needs? Your wants? Do you only take care of them when (and if) you have time? If so, that is not enough. You (yes you!) need to be on top of your priority list sometimes. You are just as valuable and worthwhile as other people, even if you don’t believe it. It is important for you and your well-being that you take good care of yourself. Plus, you deserve it! This also helps with any negative habits such as sedentary behavior and emotional eating because you will deal with your emotions in healthier ways.
How Can You Begin to be Successful in Taking Care of Yourself?
It’s a big change if you are used to putting yourself last. Start with small steps. Think about saying, “No, I’m sorry” if you are asked to do something you don’t want to do. Remember, people who are true friends will still be your friend even if you say no. They will want you to take care of yourself. However, if saying no is outright too hard at first, think about asking the other person to look for someone else to help them and call you back if they can’t find anyone.
Another good idea is to schedule on your calendar anything you are doing for yourself. Block out the time no matter what you are doing. For example: 3:00 – 4:00 pm – take a nap. Or from 7:00 – 10:00 pm, watch a movie. This way, you can make sure that you have time for yourself. If anyone calls to ask for a favor, you are able to say, “No, I’m sorry but I can’t – I already have something scheduled.”
If you struggle with low self-esteem, you may not believe that you are important enough to take good care of yourself. To be successful with this, consider getting professional help and support. Psychotherapy can help you make changes that will result in you feeling better, and that is a very good thing.
About the Author:
Sandra Silbermann, LCSW-C is an expert in the psychology of bariatric surgery. In her private practice, she has done hundreds of pre-surgery evaluations and works with clients both before and after surgery. Ms. Silbermann is currently writing a workbook for bariatric patients. She has been in private practice for 30 years and is frank, honest and uses a sense of humor when appropriate.
