In honor of National Registered Dietitian Day, March 10, I am happy to participate with a group of other fabulous Registered Dietitians in an RD blogfest.
The topic is this: If I could give only one message regarding health and wellness, what would it be?
Take Time to Care for Yourself.
Could I encourage you to eat more fruits and veggies? Sure.
What about getting regular exercise? Absolutely.
More sleep? Definitely.
More Omega-3s? Yes, please.
But, the simple truth is that the best recommendation I can offer you is simple and straightforward, yet not often done well.
Take Time to Care for Yourself.
So often, my patients and clients are caregivers for everyone…their spouse, their children, their parents, their co-workers, their church community, their friends. They put others’ needs in front of their own. Isn’t that what we’re often taught to do, especially as women?
However, many times, their own individual needs for nurturing and self-care fall to the bottom of the day’s to-do list.
Today, do one small thing to care for yourself.
Maybe it’s going to bed an hour early for a little extra sleep. Maybe it’s getting up an hour early for an awesome workout. Maybe it’s taking 10 minutes tonight to pack a healthy lunch for tomorrow. Maybe it’s making an appointment for a massage this weekend. Or taking a yoga class. Whatever you choose, make time today to do one healthy thing to take care of yourself.
I’m going to bed an hour early. 
I’d love to hear what your plan is.
Here are some additional posts from dietitians participating in today’s Blogfest.
Beyond Prenatals (Debra) – Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond
Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RD – Can Dietitians Have Real I.M.P.A.C.T?
Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD – Changes Worth Making Take Time
Carrie Miller – What Nebraska Dietitians Are Saying
National Dairy Council- Nutrient-rich foods build a healthy diet
Janel Ovrut MS RD LDN – My Top Tips for Registered Dietitian Day!
Heather Pierce, MS, RD, CDE – Enjoy Food
Robin Plotkin, RD, LD – Give a Kid a Fish, Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Kid to Fish, Feed Him for Life
Elizabeth Rahavi, RD – The Art of Nutrition Messaging
Shelley A. Rael, MS RD LD – Food Is LIFE, Nutrition is HEALTHY Life
Kerry Robinson, RD – A Food Safety Message with IMPACT
Marianne Smith-Edge, MS, RD – RDs are the Premiere Food and Health Communicators
Kris Sollid, RD – Unintended Consequences of Simple Messaging
And thank you, as always, for reading.
Love this post! Everything’s always so go go go these days!
I’m actually about to go do something for myself – a long bubble bath with a glass of wine.
What a great idea. I think my advice would be “Don’t take everything so literally”. So many people ask me “how many grams of this should I eat, or how many mg of that” Or, what percent of my diet should be this?” I feel like our society is obsessed with numbers, but we aren’t getting the point. Make realistic goals that don’t rely on counting numbers, but that follow the general guidelines of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. It doesn’t need to be that hard!
Happy National RD day tomorrow, Angie!
Great advice and encouragement Angie. Happy RD day and I will start it by exercising!
Food is LIFE, Nutrition is HEALTHY Life « Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well // Mar 10, 2010 at 1:30 am
[...] Beyond Prenatals (Debra) – Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RD – Can Dietitians Have Real I.M.P.A.C.T? Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD – Changes Worth Making Take Time Carrie Miller – What Nebraska Dietitians Are Saying National Dairy Council- Nutrient-rich foods build a healthy diet Janel Ovrut MS RD LDN – My Top Tips for Registered Dietitian Day! Heather Pierce, MS, RD, CDE – Enjoy Food Elizabeth Rahavi, RD – The Art of Nutrition Messaging Kerry Robinson, RD – A Food Safety Message with IMPACT Marianne Smith-Edge, MS, RD – RDs are the Premiere Food and Health Communicators Kris Sollid, RD – Unintended Consequences of Simple Messaging Angie Tillman, RD, CDE, LDN- Take Time to Care for Yourself [...]
Love the advice
I think you are right – this is the most important message there is out there! I am going to go to bed @ 10pm for the rest of the week. What a treat!
RD Blogfest 2010 « Registered Dietitian Blog Network // Mar 10, 2010 at 9:55 am
[...] Beyond Prenatals (Debra) – Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RD – Can Dietitians Have Real I.M.P.A.C.T? Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD – Changes Worth Making Take Time Carrie Miller – What Nebraska Dietitians Are Saying National Dairy Council- Nutrient-rich foods build a healthy diet Janel Ovrut MS RD LDN – My Top Tips for Registered Dietitian Day! Heather Pierce, MS, RD, CDE – Enjoy Food Robin Plotkin, RD, LD – Give a Kid a Fish, Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Kid to Fish, Feed Him for Life Elizabeth Rahavi, RD – The Art of Nutrition Messaging Shelley A. Rael, MS RD LD – Food Is LIFE, Nutrition is HEALTHY Life Kerry Robinson, RD – A Food Safety Message with IMPACT Marianne Smith-Edge, MS, RD – RDs are the Premiere Food and Health Communicators Kris Sollid, RD – Unintended Consequences of Simple Messaging Angie Tillman, RD, CDE, LDN- Take Time to Care for Yourself [...]
What a great post! I really fall into that category of “doesn’t do anything for self”-I think I don’t do that though b/c I feel guilty. I feel like if I take 5 minutes for myself I’m taking it away from my daughter or my husband…but I really need to think of it more like taking 5 minutes for ‘me’ helps me be a better mom and wife..right?
Thank you for your blog, I’m a regular visitor, even if I don’t comment all the time!
Nutrition Unplugged | Celebrating Registered Dietitian Day // Mar 10, 2010 at 8:45 pm
[...] Debra, Beyond Prenatals - Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, Food Insight- Can Dietitians Have Real I.M.P.A.C.T? Sandra Meyerowitz, Fiddle With Your Food - Changes Worth Making Take Time Carrie Miller, Nutrition Know How - What Nebraska Dietitians Are Saying National Dairy Council, The Dairy Report- Nutrient-rich foods build a healthy diet Janel Ovrut, Eat Well With Janel - My Top Tips for Registered Dietitian Day! Heather Pierce, Heather’s Burnt Toast - Enjoy Food Robin Plotkin - Give a Kid a Fish, Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Kid to Fish, Feed Him for Life Diane Preves, The Seed - Only One Message Elizabeth Rahavi, Food Insight - The Art of Nutrition Messaging Shelley A. Rael, Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well - Food Is LIFE, Nutrition is HEALTHY Life Kerry Robinson, Food Insight - A Food Safety Message with IMPACT Marianne Smith-Edge, Food Insight - RDs are the Premiere Food and Health Communicators Kris Sollid, Food Insight - Unintended Consequences of Simple Messaging Angie Tillman, Angie’s Appetite for Life - Take Time to Care for Yourself [...]
Great post & message! I hope everything went ok today. Call if you need anything…
Think I’ll try going to bed early tonight too…
love this post and message!
Awww… Terrific post, Angie!
You´re so right, ya know?
Have an amazing day!
I´m glad you´re back, Christina!
Amazing pics, by the way
Have a terrific night!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
I love this idea.
I agree that so often we see patients whose last concern is themselves. Taking time for ourselves is often last on our list.
Happy RD Day!
Celebrating Registered Dietitian Day « Health Fitness Support // Mar 11, 2010 at 10:07 pm
[...] Debra, Beyond Prenatals - Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Beyond Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, Food Insight- Can Dietitians Have Real I.M.P.A.C.T? Sandra Meyerowitz, Fiddle With Your Food - Changes Worth Making Take Time Carrie Miller, Nutrition Know How - What Nebraska Dietitians Are Saying National Dairy Council, The Dairy Report- Nutrient-rich foods build a healthy diet Janel Ovrut, Eat Well With Janel - My Top Tips for Registered Dietitian Day! Heather Pierce, Heather’s Burnt Toast - Enjoy Food Robin Plotkin - Give a Kid a Fish, Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Kid to Fish, Feed Him for Life Diane Preves, The Seed - Only One Message Elizabeth Rahavi, Food Insight - The Art of Nutrition Messaging Shelley A. Rael, Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well - Food Is LIFE, Nutrition is HEALTHY Life Kerry Robinson, Food Insight - A Food Safety Message with IMPACT Marianne Smith-Edge, Food Insight - RDs are the Premiere Food and Health Communicators Kris Sollid, Food Insight - Unintended Consequences of Simple Messaging Angie Tillman, Angie’s Appetite for Life - Take Time to Care for Yourself [...]
Break Time // Mar 31, 2010 at 5:22 pm
[...] But, I’m remembering my own advice: Take Time to Care for Yourself. [...]