When you take care of yourself, you can take better care of others.

Think about the times it has been hardest for you to willingly take care of others. When you have not had enough sleep? When you were sick? When you wanted to be somewhere else or doing something else? When you felt unappreciated? When you thought you were being asked to do too much?

Remember what those feelings were like, so you will recognize them when they happen again.

When you are in that situation again, plan to attack the real problem – get more sleep, treat your illness, take some time to do something else, let others know you need to be appreciated, set limits on how much you can do. Remember three things:

1. Only you know what you need and therefore can try to meet those needs.

2. You are a good thinker and can find ways to meet your needs and then be able to help others meet their needs.

3. There is nothing selfish about being at your best so that you can give your best at home or at work.