Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the changes in my life…I can’t seem to get to sleep until after four in the morning.

Yikes, right? Yep, I am wide eyed and bushytailed at that time. My body KNOWS it needs rest yet I am awake, tossing and turning the better part of the night/morning.
What’s keeping me awake? Am I giving over to my subconscious mind? Is the committee taking over finally?
I have no bloody idea. To be sure, I’ve got a lot on my mind, but that’s nothing new. My concerns and challenges seldom change very much. Family, money, career…those are always up there, but I’ve been able to get to sleep before the crack of dawn.

Hmmm…let’s see…am I eating before bed? Nope.
Drinking alcohol? Nope.

SOMETHING is on my mind and I’ve got to let it go. I refuse to take any medications to get me to sleep. I’m not a pill popper. As a matter of fact, I’ve still got painkillers from my knee thing. Meditation…that’s got to be reintroduced into my daily routine.

Maybe I’m not getting back to my center. MAYBE? heh…yeah…it’s time to be a little more self aware. I’m not a machine.
All of this is making me wonder about why women feel the need to put ourselves last.

You know, it’s not just moms who do this…I think some women have the mindset that refuses to see how valuable constructive selfishness can be to our souls. I’m a prime example of that. The needs of others come before ours and we end up shortchanging ourselves because we feel ’selfish’ for caring and nurturing ourselves.

So, before you become the insomniac I’ve become, take some time for yourself. Learn to relax. Breathe through each moment. Apparently, I am writing this because I need to see it for myself. I need to hear myself. I have to give myself permission to think about myself.

That’s crazy, isn’t it? What’s more important than your health? So, gang…I’m off to make myself well. (Remember that line from the movie ‘Mask’? “Make yourself  well, baby.”)

For me, that means getting rest, eating well and moving. Movement is good. Growth is good. Time for me to listen to my own advice.

Can we commit to changing  the routine for ourselves? Let’s see how well we can take care of ourselves. 
Today, I charge you to do one thing for yourself that you wouldn’t normally do-just because you know that it’s good for you.

Here are a couple of examples:
Take some quiet time for yourself where you don’t think about what you have to do that day or the next day. Get a journal and write.

Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and sit someplace with a magazine.
Take a walk. Exercise is something your body needs. Keep doing it.

Don’t treat yourself to food if you’ve got food related issues. I know, I know…coming from a foodie, that sounds crazy, but consider this: If you already have a deep relationship with food and you’re trying to lose weight, it’s not a good idea to use food as a reward or a means of providing comfort.

Try treating yourself to healthier choices instead. Instead of getting fast food, how about you decide to utilize a healthier alternative.

Wear makeup today if you normally don’t. Even if you’re not going to leave the house. Pretty yourself up.

If you’re a guy reading this…really take some pride in your hair, your nails and your face. If your facial hair could use a good grooming…dude, get ‘er done.

If you replace one negative activity with a positive one, you’ll probably find yourself feeling better every day.

I know  I feel better already. Let’s see if we can’t all make it home okay.