Self-care is a broad term. For some people, it’s a daily walk or exercise routine. For others, it’s maintaining a yoga or meditation practice. Whatever form it takes, it’s something that makes you feel rejuvenated. It balances you; either energizing or relaxing depending on your needs.

Taking time for self-care is not selfish. In our culture, we are often taught to care for others before ourselves and that it’s better to give than to receive. Yet, if we over-do either of those, we find our own needs getting short-changed, if met at all, because we run out of time or energy. This can lead to frustration, anger and resentment. We must remember to value ourselves enough to honor our own needs equally with other people’s. We all deserve time to relax, renew and re-charge in a way that works for us.

To do that, we need to prioritize our own needs first. You can’t actually help others if you can’t help yourself first! You can’t give away that which you do not have. So in the case of your personal energy, to be available to serve in the roles you’ve chosen in your life, you need to have an abundance of energy available before you can give it away to others. If you do not, you will be draining your personal well before there is enough water to drink to sustain your own basic needs.

As you think about how you will operate your life this year, here are three reasons why developing a good self-care routine will reap you health and wellness benefits for the long haul:

1 Once you know how to do it, it’s available to you 24/7. The only thing you have to do is prioritize and make time for yourself in order to reap the continuing benefits of health and wellness. This could mean taking a new yoga, meditation or Reiki class to learn the skills, then committing to a home practice. The key is to find something that makes you feel great and schedule it into your daily life. Make it the most important “meeting” of the day and stick to it. Enroll family, friends and colleagues so they learn to respect your time for this activity and do not encroach on it.

2 Doing your self-care routine on a daily basis provides a solid foundation to help you roll with the punches. It becomes an integral part of who you are. Missing a session makes you feel “off kilter” and your day will run differently. As it becomes a valuable part of your daily experience, you cherish for how it makes you feel and you will covet that time.

3 It re-affirms your self-esteem and self-value. Taking care of yourself models excellent behavior that will also help your spouse, friends, children, family and colleagues remember that they each need to take time to value themselves and take care of their own needs. It helps you be the best version of yourself. When your light is shining bright, it is clear to those around you, and reminds them to do the same.

Sue Ann is the owner of Fifth Dimension Healing Energy,LLC, based in Clinton. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher and holistic energy-healing practitioner serving people and animals in the Hunterdon County area. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of Reiki energy healing for self-care or take a Reiki class, contact Sue Ann at 908-730-0658 or visit FifthDimensionHealingEnergy.net.