OK, moms, confession time. Who has shut themselves in their closet, laundry room, or pantry to enjoy a moment of peace - and maybe even a piece of your secret chocolate stash?

I know you have done it. The only question is, what is your favorite hiding place? For me, chocolate chips in the pantry always seem to be an easy fix. So handy and so small that no matter how many you eat, surely it can't spike your blood sugar, right?

Most likely you are not hiding and locking yourself in a confined space with chocolate because you lack self-control.

You are responding to an emotional need or hunger you have. Before you panic, don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to quit eating chocolate. In fact, for PURELY medical purposes, I fully support a little dark chocolate every day.

My hope is to spark some curiosity in you.

Perhaps you can use that moment of desperation as a clue that some of your emotional needs are not being met. Many people joke about "eating your feelings," but it's true.

Emotions are vibrations in the body and the overwhelmed, tired and desperate type of feelings do not feel good. Your emotional need for peace, or whatever feeling you desire, is easily distracted by that chocolate. Not to mention, it's delicious.

However, if hunger is not the problem, then food is not the solution. Too bad, I know. It would be so much easier.

You take care of everyone around you, please don't leave yourself behind. I know you will say there is no time for it. You might even say it's impossible. If you had a broken leg, would you say it was impossible to make the time to take care of it?

It's easy to dismiss emotional distress or breaks, but make no mistake about it, they are every bit as important as physical ones. Many would argue they are even MORE important. Not to mention there are connections between poor emotional health and physical health problems.

So, think about it. Do you need to adjust your schedule to make sure your needs are being met? If your emotional needs were met, would it make a difference?

Would it have a positive impact on you? Your family? Your job? Your life? If the answer is yes, then wouldn't it be worth it to make it happen?

If you are ready to go out on a limb and commit to taking care of yourself, here is a challenge for you. I have made a decision that I am going to set an appointment for myself every day.

For me, I have chosen some music that brings me peace and resets my brain. I'm going to listen to it. Alone. Without doing dishes while I listen. Without responding to emails. Just me, a comfy spot, maybe some sunlight, or maybe a dark room. My soul needs to have some calm. It needs to rejuvenate. My brain needs it, too.

What about you? What would rejuvenate you?

Time with a friend? A nature walk? Meditation? Think about the emotional needs you have and what might be the right solution. Then, commit to it.

Schedule it in just like an appointment. Not just any appointment, but the kind that charges a fee if you miss it. I'm serious - who wants to miss those?

Thanks for sharing your time with me. Now go and enjoy a little dark chocolate while you book a few appointments. I'd love to hear your comments below about what YOU are committing to. Also, please share any successes you have had with effective self-care.