5 ways to become your own bff

• Share:

May 14 4:11 PM posted by author Jackie Morgan MacDougall

Raise your hand if you find yourself in the position of “go to” girl when it comes to support, advice and problem solving for practically everyone in your life.  That’s what we thought. But more often than not, we treat ourselves harshly while saving the softer, more understanding side for our friends and family. Saving the world for everyone else is nice, but we tend to forget our own needs until we hit that mental, physical and emotional wall. Psychologist Dr. Michelle Callahan says that before you can be a friend to others, you must first become your own best friend. Here’s how…

5 Ways to Become Your Own BFF

Feed Your Body Exhaustion hits when we deplete our bodies of what it needs to stay energized. If you’ve just got to eat on the run, plan ahead and have some healthy choices within reach.

Move It Even just a few minutes of exercise can re-boot your body and bring you back to center.

Catch Some Zzzz’s Log off, shut down and go to bed. You’ll thank us in the morning.

Make an Investment Spending time investing in your own relationships and focusing on personal growth is the gift that keeps on giving

Pay Attention When’s the last time you paid yourself a compliment? While we’re quick to tell a friend how smart or beautiful she is, many women have a hard time recognizing their own amazing qualities. So look in the mirror and tell that girl how great she is (we won’t tell).

In order to be successful at work, at home and in the community,” Dr. Michelle says, “you must nurture your mind, body and spirit. You cannot successfully lead, raise or take care of others until you take care of yourself.  Not only do you have to engage in daily self-care, but you also need your own support system of friends and family to hear you out, help you think things through and hold your hand when necessary. Sometimes we’re so busy being strong for others that we don’t even realize when we need others to be strong for us.” 

What's one way you'll commit today to being a better friend to yourself?

Psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Michelle R. Callahan is the author of Ms. Typed: Stop Sabotaging Your Relationships and Find Dating Success (Three Rivers Press, 2010) and can be seen hosting Wedlock or Deadlock.