Take care of yourself too

You feel drained taking care of others. Life isn't fair. It keeps overwhelming you with responsibilities. Everyone depends on you for help- tuition, hospital bills, advice, rent, employment, and so on. You need help too but do they care? When was the last time they checked up on you to know if everything is fine? Here they come again with their problems, and then you sigh. 

To those going through this, you matter and it is not just because you are a big giver. You truly do.

1. Relax: When was the last time you did this? Shut the door on life's problems. Don't sleep thinking about them only to wake up tired. Declutter your mind and fill it up with something interesting. Perhaps, a joke you heard lately or music. Part of relaxing is going on a vacation. Over there, switch off your business line or get your personal or virtual assistant to answer your calls if you can afford it. Your benefactors need their hero alive and well. The earth won't stop rotating on its axis if you stayed away for a while. I read when stressed out. My imagination helps me escape from it all. You may try it out too.

2. Get a massage- There are hands that perform magic and you need them too. Let them knead those weary shoulders and back often carrying more than they can bear. Massage therapy helps relieve anxiety, headaches, digestive disorders, insomnia related to stress amid other benefits. Check here for other massage benefits, risks and types. A caring partner can give you a good massage without you spending a dime.

3. Visit you doctor: Some people we all thought were in good health suddenly dropped dead. That would be you if you don't take it slow. Aside this, you need a check up. Something may be wrong without clear signals. Besides, your doctor may prescribe some multivitamins that would keep you in tiptop shape. The WHO maintains Ischaemic heart disease has remained the leading cause of death globally in the last 15 years. Stress contributes to eating and sleeping disorders as well as high blood pressure which can affect your heart. The hormone cortisol is released in response to stress. Studies suggest that the high levels of cortisol from long-term stress can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. These are common risk factors for heart disease. This stress can also cause changes that promote the buildup of plaque deposits in the arteries.
Even minor stress can trigger heart problems like poor blood flow to the heart muscle. This is a condition in which the heart doesn't get enough blood or oxygen. And, long-term stress can affect how the blood clots. This makes the blood stickier and increases the risk of stroke. 

4. Exercise: It is not just a fat burner. According to a Harvard health publication, exercise reduces levels of the body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators.

5. Keep chanting your personal mantra: Remind yourself you were made for this and you'll be fine. You can't solve everyone's problems either so don't beat yourself when things go wrong. For instance, someone came to ask for assistance but you couldn't solve their problems because you had limited resources or nothing at all. They left you down in the mouth, telling you how selfish you are and how disappointed they are in you for not showing empathy even though you did. They would be fine and so will you.

6. Save for a rainy day: What do you do when you are told by a weather forecaster that a storm is looming? What happens when you aren't even aware? Someday, you'll be like the havenots if you are not smart enough to know that investing in others doesn't always yield expected dividends. Sit down and think of the outcome of losing your job or a limb. Where will you turn? Will anyone come to your rescue? Not everyone will agree with the late German diarist, Anne Frank's famous quote, "No one has ever become poor by giving." MC Hammer was a hip-hop star in the 80's and early 90's. He once had 200 people in his community on his payroll and in 1996, filed for bankruptcy for owing $13m.  Hammer granted an interview saying his debt wasn't a matter of losing his head. "No, I lost my heart. I didn't just take the money and say, 'I want to be a blessing to myself.' I took my money and employed 200 people in my community. I had a payroll of a million dollars a month at times."
Late American actor, Mickey Rooney left a modest estate of $18,000 after losing most of his money to elder abuse and poor financial management by one of his stepsons. In 1989, American singer-songwriter, composer and pianist, Billy Joel, filed a $90m lawsuit against his former manager and brother in-law, Frank Weber, for fraud. He set up a private investigation that nailed him. Fortunately for Billy, he isn't homeless today. You may not give money but a chance that may be misused and you'll keep giving until there's nothing left.

7. Start a fundraiser/foundation: Join forces with fellow givers like you, individuals, banks, NGOs etc. Altruism isn't just about using your money to help others. It is the idea behind it. Anyone with the desire to help others may not even have a penny. All you need is compassion plus passion. By pushing for help, you'll help raise adequate resources. Then the little anount you have can be invested in other projects so that you won't feel guilty not loving yourself as much as you love other people.

8. Don't stop helping: Everyone was made for a purpose. Thankfully, you know yours. All the good you've done may not be reaped by you but your offspring. So, keep doing it. You may not be paid back in cash but in kind. And if no one does it, God will. He never forgets. There is a record of all you've ever done to make someone happy. The Bible says in Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measures pressed down, shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." And don't just give, be happy doing it with no expectations. That's when you won't be disappointed.

That's all folks. Thanks for reading. Feel free to drop your comments if you enjoyed this.