Embracing Self-Care: I slept for over nine hours yesterday

Yesterday, I felt a little sick, particularly with muscle soreness. A few days ago, all of my family members started showing some cold symptoms to varying degrees. My daughter seems to be the most affected; she had trouble falling asleep smoothly due to a stuffy nose. I’m not sure whether I caught the cold from her or if it was just coincidental. Every year, when the seasons change, the temperature difference between daytime and evening is quite significant, often leading to colds or other seasonal illnesses. This year is no different for us.

Despite this, I’ve noticed that I’m more accepting and calm in dealing with these physical ailments compared to how I used to be. In the past, I would force myself to keep going, trying to be productive even when I was feeling unwell or wasn’t in the mood to be productive. I used to push myself beyond my limits, believing that I always needed to be doing something meaningful. For instance, after putting my two children to bed, I would push myself to stay awake even when I felt extremely tired because I felt that my personal time was limited and precious. However, this often left me feeling burned out without any sense of accomplishment.

Through my journey of self-improvement, I’ve learned that physical sickness is often a signal from both the body and mind that something is off-balance. It’s important not to ignore these signals. Instead, I need to listen to them, allow my body to take the rest it needs, and give myself permission to recharge. These moments of downtime are inevitable in daily life, and they are temporary—they won’t last forever. I need to be patient and kind to myself, acknowledging that taking a break is sometimes the most productive thing I can do.

Last night, I went to bed with my children at 9:30 p.m., something that would have seemed impossible for my past self. I realized that I needed to prioritize my health to overcome this unwell period and heal myself. As a result, I slept for over nine hours, waking up feeling much better.

This experience has reminded me of the importance of self-compassion and the need to listen to my body. It’s easy to fall into the trap of constantly pushing ourselves, especially as parents and professionals. But acknowledging our limitations and respecting our need for rest is not a sign of weakness; it’s an essential part of self-care. By allowing myself to rest when needed, I’m not only taking care of my physical health but also setting a positive example for my children on how to cope with life’s hard time gracefully.