Handle with Care

If only.... I handled my body with the care I take with my precious vintage items or fragile hair adornments. With a little more respect and nurturing. 

One of my doctor's orders this week was to listen to my body and respect its needs. Seems simple enough, eh? But the challenge has already begun this week with a taxing painting project, an artisan market approaching and more projects lined up waiting for my attention.  Even something as simple as getting at least 8 hours of consecutive sleep starting before midnight has been a stretch. This instruction came with helpful hint that our bodies begin their healing process at midnight and so its important to get into that REM sleep before then. 

It reminds me of a simple poem cross stitched on my grandmother's walls and etched in my brain:

Early to bed,

Early to rise,

Makes a man,

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

I always blew it off as an old wives tale but with age and learning things the hard way it seems pretty true. 

So I am taking baby steps. Since the illness I am experiencing now (as I learned this week) is stressed induced ... Its called Adrenal Fatigue.. then I am trying my best to take a lesson and begin to handle myself with care. 

Its a challenge believe it or not. (Especially as a people pleaser who doesn't like to use the word " No") I am taking it one day at a time. Baby steps. Towards health.

... and who knows.. maybe wealth and wisdom will follow!

 

Fragile Paper art by Ronald Ceuppens

Comments

[linden]

Did you know that you are one of my new favorite reads to go to every day? I am facing my own health challenge these days.

[Elizabeth]

It's so hard to remember to be kind to ourselves. I've certainly got so much to learn in that arena.Thank you for sharing your story and gently reminding us of our own limits too.

I hope that you are truly encouraged by this new posture of grace toward your body, and long after you've healed, you will courageously continue the gentleness and grace toward yourself, body and soul, that led to your healing.

May the lessons you are learning (sadly with so much pain) right now bring amazing richness to the rest of your life. I know they are already encouraging me toward a healthier life.

[machteld]

Learning how to take care of yourself can be so difficult! Did you once wrote that you recognized some of the characteristics of high sensitivity? Taking care of yourself is so important, even more so for highly sensitives! Good luck with the baby steps (and don't be too harsh for yourself if you sometimes forget to take care of yourself), I wish you all the best.

[BrigitteLyons]

Elizabeth said it all so eloquently. Much love to you, Heather.

[alison]

I'm glad I ran across your post today. I've recently started taking steps to better care for myself as well. It's amazing how hard it can be... But after caring for those around us I think we often find little energy left for ourselves.

I hope you are able to find strength and solace in knowing you are not alone. I wish you the best of luck!

[A Flourishing Perspective]

What a lovely post, darling. I love the photo!

I wish you luck with taking care of your body more...I imagine it must be hard! But always keep that phrase in mind, I suppose♥

I wish you peace and happiness this weekend, dear!