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While there are no hard and fast rules for guaranteed health and happiness, there are some things that every woman can do to help her feel better about herself, inside and out. Sometimes while we are busy working and taking care of everyone else in the house, we tend to put ourselves last, simply because we think we can do without better than anyone. Sacrifice is admirable but not wise one-hundred percent of the time. Take time to do these simple things for yourself at least once a year and you will stay energized and feeling good about caring for your own needs, even if you only think about it once in awhile.
1. Go see your Gynecologist for a yearly check-up. While this seems like an obvious thing to do each year, it is one of your least favorite things to do and so it easily gets pushed to the back burner and with any luck, off the burner completely! Going to the gynecologist is uncomfortable, a little embarrassing and doesn’t seem necessary because, you feel fine! However, gynecological problems are often the sort that go undetected until the problem is severe. Make an appointment, get it over with. If your doctor suggests a mammogram, do it.
2. The Dentist. Even more dreaded than the gynecologist, maybe. Go for your yearly check-up and cleaning and if you’ve got things that need to be fixed, don’t put them off. It’s for your own good and you don’t get another set of teeth until they hand them to you in a box. You lost your baby teeth a long time ago.
3. Get a haircut. This may seem silly for those of you who are frequent visitors to the salon, but for those of us who stand before the mirror snipping off our own bangs, a haircut is a luxury seldom had. Split ends can make your hair look terrible, get it cut at least once a year to keep your hair looking healthy, more if you can manage it. While you’re there get a color or some highlights, but nothing too drastic unless you’re planning on keeping it up, dark roots look even worse than split ends.
4. Have lunch with an old friend. Friendships fade away fast when you don’t put forth the effort to stay in touch. Even if you only get together with your friend once a year, it will be enough to keep the ties together so you don’t lose touch. Make sure it is a fabulous lunch in an expensive restaurant, after all, it’s only once a year. Your friend will help you remember good things about yourself and make you feel great!
5. Get a physical. O.k., it’s not as bad as the gyno or the dentist, but it still seems silly when you’re feeling fine. Get a physical every year just to put your mind at ease and keep open the lines of communication with your doctor so if you do get sick, you feel comfortable going to see him. Ask the doctor if there is anything you can do to promote your own good health and if you are overweight, ask for a safe plan to follow.
6. Clean your closets. Possibly more horrifying than the gyno and dentist combined, but you will feel great when you see your clean and organized closet and you can find exactly what you are looking for. Set one day aside and get it over with!
7. Ride a roller coaster. Take your family to an amusement park and go crazy! Act like a kid, go on rides your are afraid to go on and just let go. Acting like a kid often makes you feel like one and everyone in the family can enjoy this yearly chore.
8. Go to the spa. Now that you’ve done a bunch of things you really hate, treat yourself. Get a massage, a manicure, a pedicure and a facial. It will only take one afternoon but it will make you feel like a million bucks. If you can’t afford it, ask your family to give the day to you as a birthday gift or for mother’s day!
9. Refresh your wardrobe. After you clean your closets and throw away old clothes you’ll never wear, go shopping and pick out a few basics that will go with everything. A new blazer, a good pair of slacks, maybe a few new pairs of shoes, will all put a spark back in your old favorites.
10. Go away without the kids. Take your husband, boyfriend or go alone. Even if it is only for a weekend, treat yourself to a vacation every year. Vacations don’t have to be expensive and when you leave the kids home they are even cheaper. Make it someplace quiet and romantic, even if you are alone and soak up peace until it comes out of your eyeballs.
Space these ten things out over the year so that you will remain energized and refreshed and reward yourself when you do the most distasteful tasks. These things will keep you on track to being healthy, mind, body and soul.
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