Let me start by saying that I’m so grateful for everyone’s support of my Mental Health Monday series, I can’t believe that for 80 consecutive weeks we’ve prioritized our mental health at the start of each week!

This is major & I’m so proud of us!

Now getting into this week’s topic, I’d like to discuss the importance of listening to your body.

Sometimes we take on all the things we need to do & ignore what our body is really telling us to do.

Always pushing through because if you stop there’s a lot of negative connotations behind it.

We feel this constant pressure to complete all tasks so nothing negative is said or so they don’t spill onto anyone else in our lives whether at home or work.

We do this not realizing that delegating tasks can be extremely helpful in getting things done.

Sometimes we have this “I can do it myself” attitude & it stems from wanting to be in control & not allowing helping hands to assist you.

While there isn’t anything wrong with being self-sufficient, sometimes we can become hyper-independent.

This is something we need to work on as a collective because imagine how much we can achieve if we allowed others in to help.

Having assistance is a privilege most don’t have, so when you have someone willing to help, accept that.

Listening to your body when it needs a moment to recoup is important.

Not listening will result in your body forcing you to sit.

This is something I’m still learning to do, as I take pride in doing for myself & my loved ones, but sometimes you need to just take a break.

The laundry, the dishes, the cooking, whatever it is, can wait.

It’s hard work taking a break coming from a culture that’s driven by grinding & hustling.

We tend to only value ourselves by measuring our productivity which can be more harmful than helpful, especially when your body is trying to tell you something.

Listen to your body & take your rest as seriously as you take your hustle, it’s with rest that you regain strength only stillness & peace can provide.

⁃ MML