5 instant feel-good tips

Your Comments

• Debbie wrote:

  Jan 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:46 AM

  Why is your article about me!, me!, me!...... Why not achieve some feeling good about me by helping someone else out?? A senior in need, a child in need, etc...

• Marie wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:47 AM

  America is self-absorbed enough as it is. I agree with Debbie, you can make yourself feel better by actually thinking more of others. It's all about balance: if you spend all your time doing work or pushing yourself too hard or serving others, yes you should learn to take a break and do something for yourself -- sleep well, eat well, treat yourself, learn to relax and breathe. But I know too many women who spend their time following these mottos, and saying "I DESERVE a break. I've been working so hard. I'm so self-critical. I need to treat myself." And they end up only thinking of themselves all the time, thinking they're martyrs, not really working, and not giving a d*mn about others who are suffering more than they are... Pushing this behavior to the extreme, makes these women end up with no money and no friends. BALANCE!

• anne wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:47 AM

  Thanks for the fabulous tips. It's nice to have someone acknowledge that sometimes you simply have to make yourself happy. We can get so caught up in tending to others that we forget about caring for ourselves. Thanks for the inspiration. Anne

• Irma wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:47 AM

  This is an interesting article in that it helps us help ourselves first. The more in tune we are with ourselves and our healthy needs, the better we can help other people. How are we expected to go around helping others when our own mental/physical health may be suffering? Cheers for the tips:)

• Anonymous wrote:

  Feb 03, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:47 AM

  An article stating that its okay and healthy to think about yourself first occasionally is refreshing and helps relieve some of the stress, anxiety, and guilt that I've been feeling when I actually take time for myself as opposed to doing something "productive" at work, at home (either with family or in the form of household responsibilities), or elsewhere! I do plan to do more for myself on a regular basis. I hope that eventually the good i.e. non-stressed, feeling I experience after taking some time to concentrate on my needs will not be preceded by the feeling of guilt just before hand. Thanks for the encouragement!

• D wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:47 AM

  I appreciate that this article is about me!..me!..me! I know that in my life very little time is spent on my needs, and when it is guilt creeps in. This is an unbalanced way of existing. Tips on how to give myself a little needed attention are helpful in acheiving a more wholesome lifestyle.

• Anonymous wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:47 AM

  In response to the first feedback. I believe that what this article is trying to portray to its readers is that, initially, in order to eventually reach out to others you need to reach out to yourself first. I agree with the fact that helping the elderly will benefit, but it is also ok to put yourself first at times so that you feel important too.

• initha wrote:

  Sep 06, 2005

  2009-09-22 10:48 AM

  This article is not about me, me, me. I am a highschool teacher who has dinner and marks test papers at the same time. Having a cup of coffee made by my mother when I visit my parents is a luxury.

• Jaimee Caron wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:49 AM

  I found this article so refreshing. So often, women constantly overextend themselves, caring for their families and often working full-time as well. I think it would be great to see more articles that highlight the importance of making time for yourself.

• Jodi Guy wrote:

  Oct 08, 2008

  2009-09-22 10:50 AM

  In response to the reader who wondered why is this article about me, me, me, I have this to offer. In order to be able to give to others, we must give to ourselves first. This gives us the energy and mindset to be able to help and give to others. Those who only give to others and do not practice self care will eventually run out of steam. We cannot rely on others for our own happiness - we must give it to ourselves first.

• Aya wrote:

  Aug 28, 2006

  2009-09-22 10:50 AM

  In response to 'Me, me, me' -- of course, it is a really wonderful thing to help others, volunteer and give to charity, etc. - but I think this article is aimed at people who do too much for others already and have been neglecting their own well-being. It is important, not selfish, to take care of your own needs first (as long as you're not indulging your wants at the expense of others' needs). You can't help others if you're not taking proper care of yourself first. If you're caring for others at the expense of your own wellbeing, you end up feeling resentful and burnt out (an unfortunate pattern that has been repeating in my own life, and I'm now trying to put an end to it). I'm finally realising that I have to take care of myself first, even if it means having to say no to needy people - otherwise I will fall apart. The Buddhists say that true compassion and caring for others begins with true compassion and caring for oneself.

• Faye E. Gutierrez wrote:

  Jun 04, 2004

  2009-09-22 10:51 AM

  The only way one can be productive to society and helpful to those in need is to have a healthy, joyful attitude to one's private self. The happier we are personally, the better equipped we will be to accomplish these goals. Keep these articles coming!!!

• R. Ingram wrote:

  Jul 29, 2004

  2009-11-18 2:59 PM

  I agree with the first person's feedback. This article is very self-focused. While I agree with the article in the sense that one needs to take care of oneself in order to stay healthy, as a Christian, I disagree with 'looking out for number one' before anyone else. Jesus Christ gave us the perfect example of sacrifice, and we ought to sacrifice for each other. True joy can only be found in Him alone, in His sacrifice for us, and in the acceptance of that sacrifice. No amount of self-focus will ever leave you truly joyful or satisfied.

• kamlesh jain wrote:

  Jun 04, 2004

  2009-11-18 3:02 PM

  this is a good article. wish we have more like this one in future.

• Christina Hilt wrote:

  Apr 19, 2004

  2009-11-18 3:02 PM

  I would like to enourage everyone to take the advice in this article to heart. I've been suffering from severe depression for several months, and the ability to 'Seek daily joy' has gone from my life completely. The small everyday things like the smell of fresh coffee, or the intricate colours on a bird's wings, used to be wonderful. Now I remember enjoying them, but can't get back that 'buzz' of joy they used to bring. Make the most of life's joys, and take time to appreciate them. They're precious, compared to the emptyness I now feel.

• Nadia wrote:

  Jun 04, 2004

  2009-11-18 3:02 PM

  I'd like to respond to Debbie's comment on why the article is about 'me'. I think what Ms. Martin is saying is that in the hectic world we live in, we don't take time out for ourselves, especially women. While it does bring joy to help someone else, we must first ensure we are of sound body, mind and soul to best help those around us.