Kindness & Your Mental Health

Life happens sometimes, right?

Indeed it does.

In July, I found myself on airplanes traveling out of state for two family members in health crises.

Two days after I returned, we had four family members visiting from out of state for the next ten days, including our adorable six and three year old grandkids.

In the middle of that, another difficult family issue arose.

As I am sure you can imagine, having almost three weeks of a month consumed with family, travel, and company, and then another curveball showing up in the midst of it, was overwhelming to say the least.

At the same time, I was trying to keep up with my business and all other life responsibilities and commitments.

Needless to say, I started to run dry. My gas tank was running empty.

Even though I love quality time with people I love almost more than anything else, I was physically tired and emotionally drained. I felt the stress of the curveball looming amongst it all. I felt uncertain about the future.

Nevertheless, my tendency is to push myself and push myself some more. “I can handle it” I say to myself as I attack the “To Do List” of my life everywhere.

Can you relate to this???

But then I realized, I need to stop and take care of myself.

I need to give myself the grace that I often give others.

I need to practice what I have been teaching and preaching all my life.

I need to be kind.

So, I ignored the “To Do List”.

I slept in.

I rested.

I relaxed.

I took a breath.

I asked people for more time.

I let some things go another day.

And you know what?

The world didn’t rotate off its axis.

Giving myself a mental health morning was a gift to myself that has led to me showing up better for others ever since.

I am more equipped to fulfill the commitments I have made, to complete the tasks I am responsible for, and to be the person I want to be in my relationships and in my work.

And the curveball, although still very much there, doesn’t feel quite so daunting.

Kindness to self leads to greater kindness to others and the world.

In business, kindness to self means higher morale, increased productivity, a greater sense of purpose, and a stronger bottom line.

How can you be kind to yourself today?

How can you support others in being kind to themselves?

I challenge you to make this a priority wherever you are and just see what wonderful things happen.

The results will be undeniable.