Sprout

Why you need to put yourself first

Sprout Admin -

If you are someone who wants to give more than you receive, it can be difficult to put yourself first. You might even find that you sometimes put your own wants and needs on the back burner in order to look after others or please those around you.

While it's great to be a caring and empathetic person who wants the best for others, it's just as important to look after yourself. Doing so doesn't mean that you're selfish! Putting yourself first can help you to meet your own needs, plus when you look after yourself, you will be more capable of looking after your loved ones.

Why you need to put yourself first

You might have heard the term self-care and thought that it doesn't apply to you. But self-care applies to every single person and it's an essential part of your health and wellbeing. If you're not yet convinced to start taking your own wants and needs seriously, here are some of the many reasons why putting yourself first is so important:

  • When you're needs are met, you're able to help others to meet their needs
  • Being the best version of yourself will enable you to foster strong relationships with those around you
  • Putting yourself first boosts your confidence and self-esteem, which can bolster your personal and professional lives in a number of ways
  • You'll perform better at work when you feel good about yourself
  • Giving yourself love and care improves your emotions and thought patterns, which can lower the risk of poor mental health
  • Taking steps to improve your physical health may help lower the risk of chronic diseases  or help manage your existing chronic health conditions

How to put yourself first without the guilty

If you're struggling to know how to put yourself first without feeling selfish for doing so, here are some top tips to help you.

  • Remember that you're better able to help those around you when you are feeling your best
  • Keep in mind that neglecting your own needs can increase the risk of poor physical and mental health
  • Remind yourself each day that self-care is an essential part of your life
  • Recognize where your feelings of selfishness are coming from when you practice self-care
  • Work on your self-confidence and practice gratitude to remember why you deserve self-love and self-care
  • Encourage others to put themselves first, too