Sometimes it is easy to forget that practicing compassion includes extending that compassion to yourself. Quite often, people overlook self care in favor of meeting the needs of others. We think that it's selfish to decline the opportunity to help someone else if the reason we decline is to take care of ourselves. We planned to meditate for a few minutes, but our significant other wants to watch a movie with us. We want to take a walk outside, but there is work to catch up on. There is certainly a difference between being selfish and taking care of yourself. Even so, making sure that you are eating healthy food, taking time for daily physical movement, and ensuring that your emotional needs are being met are not selfish activities. Taking good care of yourself allows you to better realize your purpose in the world. Self care is actually a very selfless activity. When we are happy and healthy, our bodies are strong and our minds are clear. We can then offer others our best selves rather than a worn-out, overextended version.