• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy Hoogervorst

Integrative Health and Wellness Coach

  • WHAT IS HEALTH COACHING?
  • ABOUT AMY
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
    • FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
    • MIND-BODY CONNECTION
    • MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND REST
    • NUTRITION
    • PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    • RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  • GET STARTED
    • SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
    • ACCESS FREE RESOURCES
    • VIEW ARCHIVED VIDEOS

Nov 20, 2015
SELF CARE

Self Care vs. Self Sacrifice: Which Do You Choose?

One of the most difficult concepts I ever had to learn – and that I still sometimes struggle with – was the importance of putting me first.

As Moms, our lives revolve around other people, especially if we take care of little people.

We make sure they get where they need to be. We put meals on the table. We help with homework, volunteer at schools, assist with extracurricular activities, give hugs, and kiss boo-boos.

We make sure they get enough sleep.

We poke. We prod.

We encourage.

We bless.

At the end of the day, we likely have cared for children, our significant other, our parents, our friends, our co-workers, the laundry, the dishes and the garbage.

We’re beat.  The next day, we get up and do it again, trying to put on a (circle your best answer):

  • really happy face
  • mostly happy face
  • sometimes happy face
  • not happy face

Did I just describe you?

Well, I certainly described me, particularly for a few years after our youngest son was born.

The attention that I constantly gave to others, to putting them first, almost led to the unraveling of the life that I thought I was working so hard to build.

I was frustrated, tired and unhappy. I yelled. I steamed. I stuffed it inside. Sometimes I smiled.

Thank God for the messages and the messengers that God kept sending my way. I finally paid attention. My Great Life Reboot began, and it began with self-care.  I looked inward. I sought answers by reading, praying, discovering.

 

Here’s what helped me:

  •  I sought God. I had gotten all of my priorities out of alignment and needed to get it back together, starting with my relationship with God.
  • I got help. I grew up with the mindset that if someone went to a mental health counselor, it meant they were crazy. Guess what? It doesn’t. It’s OK to make that call. Friends are a great outlet, but few are equipped with the skills needed to help us navigate the murky waters. My therapist taught me about mindfulness and many other techniques that helped me grow and heal.
  • I began to exercise. I started small, because I hadn’t exercised in a really long time. I began to walk, even short distances. A few months later, I started strength training at a gym. If you haven’t exercised regularly, or ever, start small. Walk to the neighbor’s house, then around the block. Increase your distance each day. It’s a great stress reliever.
  • I prioritized sleep. This was a big one for me. I used to stay up late to do things to have my “me time” or to get caught up on work or housework. But then I still had to get up with small children. I was hanging by a thread, having panic attacks and health issues. Sleep is a critical component of self-care.
  • I cultivated my mind and heart. What do you enjoy? I love to read, take photographs, and create scrapbooks. You may love to garden, cook, or hike. I reconnected with my passions, just a few minutes at a time, and that helped me find my true north again. If you had a free afternoon and no responsibilities, what would you do? Create 15 minutes to do it this week.

Question: What stops you from putting you first? What are you willing to give up this week in order to make time to take better care of you? 

Welcome! If you’re new here and don’t want to miss a thing, be sure to CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE to the Faith & Sweat blog updates. And feel free to share with a friend. Thanks for visiting!

Tweet
Share
Pin

Don’t Miss out

Join our newsletter to get all the latest!

Previous Post: « The Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen
Next Post: Will You Be Vulnerable Today? »

Primary Sidebar

MEET AMY

Hi! I'm Amy Hoogervorst, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, integrative health coach, and creative entrepreneur offering grace and space for a healthier you. Read More…

Amy Hoogervorst is a ReCODE 2.0 Certified Health Coach. Badge is blue and green lettering primarily on a white background

Latest on the Blog

A Bredesen ReCODE coach helps people concerned about or living with cognitive decline implement lifestyle changes that are part of the Bredesen protocol. Colorful image depicts a brain with many synapses and activity

Recently I trained as a Bredesen ReCODE Coach, adding to my professional knowledge base and credentials as I look to help anyone concerned about their brain health. But my desire to prevent and reverse cognitive decline goes beyond a professional achievement. It’s deeply personal, too. About five years ago, someone close to me received a […]

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

How it started and how it's going. 🎨 Halfway t How it started and how it's going. 🎨

Halfway through facilitating the first "Creativity as Spiritual Practice" elective course @secondbreathcenter I find these images only partially representative of what we've been doing.

Not pictured, except in my memory and perhaps others', are images of Creative Ones gathering at tables and on benches to share their stories, narratives, fears, and dreams - and others listening intently. Of them  creating together and reflecting on the experience. And supporting each other to nurture their creativity between classes. It's a beautiful thing to witness, and I'm so grateful to be in this space.

#creativity #practice #letsplay #wellbeing #spiritualpractice #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #joy #secondbreathcenter #consciousfacilitator #createdtocreate
Alzheimer's is a women's health issue. 🧠 Of ev Alzheimer's is a women's health issue.

🧠 Of every three people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s, two are women.

🧠 Even factoring in women’s longer lifespans, they’re twice as likely as men to develop the disease.

🧠 Lifestyle changes such as improved sleep and nutrition, increased exercise and mental stimulation, and decreased stress and toxins, can help reduce a woman's risk of dementia.

If all of that seems overwhelming, focus on just one piece of the puzzle. What's one tiny step you can take to improve your cognition?

Read more here: https://amyhoogervorst.com/women-and-alzheimers/

#worldalzheimersday #walkwalkwalk #freshfood #bettersleep #stressless #useyourmind #creativity #tinyhabits #onestepatatime #brainhealth #integrativehealthcoach #graceandspaceforahealthieryou 

World Alzheimer's Day -
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as y "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." - Confucius

Groton (NY) Labor Day 5k ✔️
Running state #21 (me) and #27 (DH)

#goatyourownpace #keepmoving #5k #walk #run #justdoit #runyourownrace #physicalactivity # #movement #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #integrativehealthcoach
What promise to yourself will you keep today? • What promise to yourself will you keep today?

•

#showupforyourself #saturdaymood #nurture #rest #sleep #nutrition #exercise #connection #creativity #takegoodcareofyourself #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #integrativehealthcoach #wellbeing
Follow on Instagram

Tags

accountability anxiety best self books challenge choices coaching dreams exercise faith faith and sweat fitness friends goals grace and space for a healthier you habits health health coaching healthy eating healthy food healthy lifestyle holidays inflammation memories mindfulness mindset movement nutrition perseverance personal growth PhotoOrganize Me photos recipes resources rest self-care sleep social media stewardship stories stress sugar wellness what i learned Youngevity
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLOSURES
  • CONTACT
© 2023 Amy Hoogervorst - All Rights Reserved

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in .

Amy Hoogervorst
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.