How much time do you honestly spend nourishing yourself on a daily basis?

So many of us out there are “givers” (especially us moms) always running around making sure the kids have gone off to school with the right lunch box, making sure we’ve paid the telephone bill, put the bins out, defrosted the chicken, emptied the dishwasher or made the beds. There is always something that diverts us away from spending time nourishing ourselves.

Even if we did have a spare five minutes in our already manic schedule, most of us wouldn’t have a clue what to do with it! What does “nourishing” mean anyway! Over time we have just become accustomed to the frighteningly fast pace of life we live. But it’s time to slow down and recognize our own needs.

If we don’t nourish ourselves, we quickly become unbalanced. Our tank slowly runs dry and we’re left feeling weary, exhausted and even resentful.

I have come to realize that if we don’t look after ourselves no one else will. We have to recognize when we have become unbalanced or when our tank has run dry. We have to make time to take care of our own well-being both physically and mentally. When we do this, it shows the outside world that we care and value ourselves. And when others see this, they start treating us with the love and respect we deserve.

Ask yourself today: If you could spend a little time nourishing yourself, what would you do? From having an early night with your favorite book, spending an afternoon clothes shopping alone, to enjoying a weekend away at a spa.

Complete these questions:

1. Who are the people in my life that nourish me?
2. Which places or locations nourish me?
3. What activities nourish me?
4. What thoughts nourish me?

Here are some ideas to help you indulge in some self-nourishing activities this week:

• Spend some time alone
• Get family or friends to have the kids for an hour
• Go for a romantic meal with a loved one
• Read a book or a favorite magazine
• Go for a run
• Play your favorite sport
• Have a hot bath
• Get together with friends
• Go for a coffee and large piece of chocolate cake
• Take a walk with nature
• Go shopping and buy yourself something nice
• Watch your favorite movie
• Take up dancing lessons
• Start an exercise class such as Pilates or Yoga
• Grow something in the garden
• Meditate
• Make something creative
• Cook a new recipe
• Laugh!
• Get more sleep

How do I nourish myself? With two small children under five and a business to run, life can be rather hectic and I rarely get a minute to myself. So each month I spend a few hours in my local Costa Coffee with a yummy Frescato, chocolate muffin and of course a good book. Perfect! I always feel replenished when I return home – for a few hours anyway!

Action. Find just ten minutes out of your day to nourish yourself in whatever way feels right for you (write it in your diary or calendar if necessary).  Give yourself a treat and see what difference it makes to the way you feel by the end of the week.

I’m off to Costa! Might see you there.