How To Start Putting Yourself First: 13 Practical Ways

Today you’re going to learn how to start putting yourself first.

You have to take care of yourself first, so you can also take care of others. Self-care, boundary setting, and self-compassion are examples of how to put yourself first. It’s not selfish to prioritize yourself from time to time, because your needs are just as important as the needs of others. We are here to help you prioritize taking care of yourself.

How To Start Putting Yourself First:

1. Define your own boundaries.

An occasional “no” is fine. If you don’t take care of this, people will expect too much from you and burn you out. Create boundaries with your friends, family, and co-workers to allow you to prioritize when necessary to avoid it. If someone crosses your boundaries, let them know it’s not acceptable.

You can let your employees know that you will not be available after work.
You can ask your friends not to contact you by phone or text after 10 p.m., because that’s when you go quiet.
You can ask your partner to do certain tasks alone.

2. When you need help, ask for it.

You need help with some things. Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes, so it’s OK to ask for help when you need it. People are more likely to answer “yes” when you ask them in person, so consider doing it when you need something. Be clear about what you need and how they can help you.

“I have a lot of work to do this week. Could you take care of the laundry?”

“I scheduled a meeting for today after work. Could you bring the kids? “

“With my current workload, I won’t be able to give this project the attention it requires. Could you pass it on to another person? “

3. Give yourself time to relax.

Even if responsibilities remain unfinished, give yourself time to relax. Before you can fulfill the needs of others, you need to fulfill your own, which means you need to relax. Schedule relaxation time into your week, whether it’s a few hours or a full day, to make sure you have time to relax. Keep it as a commitment, just like any other appointment.

Invest in a cozy blanket and a comfortable night at home.
Spend Sunday mornings reading and sipping coffee.
If you feel tired, take a short 20-minute nap.
Have a restful night’s sleep.

4. Reduce tension.

To prevent tension buildup, let it out daily. Choose stress relievers that are simple to incorporate into your regular routine to help you reduce tension. You will be able to relax more easily if you try to employ all five senses. You can try some of the following:

Sip hot herbal tea.
Use a scented lotion.
Light a candle and turn on soothing music while you relax.
Use scented bath salts to relax in the tub.
Go for a walk in the fresh air.

5. Spend 15 minutes each day on pleasure.

You should take time to enjoy yourself. Set aside a chunk of time each day for personal development. Use this time by relaxing, watching your favorite TV series, reading, or creating something.

Try out your creativity.
Solve a puzzle of some sort.
Take your drinks outside and relax.

6. Find an activity.

Pick up an old hobby that gave you pleasure or start a new one. At least once a week, even if it’s just for a while, try to indulge in your pastime. You can even choose something light, like board games, or grueling, like martial arts training (1).

7. Show gratitude

By focusing on your blessings, you can cultivate an attitude of abundance. You will feel happier and more satisfied when you take action from an abundance mindset.

Make a gratitude list, noting three things you are grateful for each day to help you focus on the positive aspects of your life. You can also say “thank you” to those who support your daily efforts. For example, you can be grateful for a safe home, a loving spouse, great friends, a fun pet, a great job or beautiful weather.

8. Consume a balanced diet.

Take care of your body by eating nutritious meals. It can be a challenge to maintain a balanced diet after a long day, but nutritious food offers you energy and promotes excellent health. Eat more complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. On the other hand, limit your intake of sugar and saturated fats. Properly nourishing your body will help you feel your best.

To ensure you have nutritious meals for the week, try preparing meals on Sundays.

Snack on fresh meals with little preparation, such as tiny carrots, apple slices, or bananas.

Prepare larger meals so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day.

9. Exercise will make you feel better.

In general, for optimal health, you should engage in 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week. Create an exercise program and choose an activity you enjoy, so it’s easier to stick to your goals. You’ll also have more fun.

Go for a bike ride.

Play basketball or soccer.

10. Consider meditation.

To relieve stress and improve your mood, meditate daily. Sit in a comfortable posture and close your eyes for a simple meditation. After emptying your thoughts, concentrate on your breathing while sitting for at least 10–15 minutes. If your thoughts wander, gently return to your breathing. You can also repeat a prepared mantra in your head.

To find free guided meditations, check out apps such as Headspace (2) or Insight Timer.

11. Be compassionate to yourself.

Take care of yourself. You will burn out very quickly if you are too hard on yourself. You are only human, so mistakes can happen sometimes. When you make a mistake, take responsibility for it and work to correct it. Then let go of any remorse.

Identify your past mistakes and forgive yourself.

Accept responsibility for your mistakes and then start over.

12. Have faith in yourself.

When you are making decisions about yourself, pay attention to your inner voice. The most important thing is to follow your instincts, because you are the only person who truly understands who you are. Start by surrounding yourself with positive influences and treating yourself well. Believe in your ability to make the best choice for yourself.

13. Refute false assumptions.

Change your perspective on setting priorities for yourself. Start by challenging any assumptions you may have about it being selfish or lazy. Then allow yourself to prioritize yourself. Remind yourself that there is no time limit on trying something new or changing the way you treat yourself.

When you feel that you are being selfish by putting yourself first, remind yourself that you need to take care of yourself first before you can take care of others.

Saying “no” to a new venture is not being lazy, as the thought “I need to relax if I want to be the best” would imply.

You can work out your ideas and views by keeping a notebook.

Thank you for reading this article about how to start putting yourself first and I really hope that you take action my advice.

I wish you good luck and I hope its contents have been a good help to you.