Collaborative post
In everything we do, we either take care of ourselves, or we don’t. It really is this simple. From what we eat for breakfast to how we get to work to what we do in the evenings, we are either taking care of ourselves for the long term or putting a band-aid on a problem until later.
Of course, practicing self-care is much better than not doing anything or ignoring an issue, but parents can find this a hard thing to do when they have little ones to look after. Sometimes their own self-care can be put to one side. This is never a good idea.
With this in mind, it’s important to understand what self-care is for a parent and how to ensure that you get more of it in your life. Read on to find out more.
Give Yourself Permission
When caring for others, it’s tempting to put your own needs on the back burner to focus on those you love. Taking time for oneself, though, is not selfish. Everyone needs time alone to decompress and rejuvenate, and if you give yourself that gift, you’ll hopefully be better able to satisfy the needs of your loved ones. Ten minutes a day to relax with a cup of tea and a moment of quiet is a good place to start.
Make A To-Do List
You might find that your list of things to do gets longer over time. This could include running errands, shopping for important things, or doing general office work. If these tasks are bothering you, make a list that you can check off as you go. Give the most important tasks that need to be done that day or week the most attention. This means making sure you have time to spend with your kids and time for yourself. Just seeing everything written down might make things seem easier to handle and help you figure out which things are really important. And remember that it’s okay and healthy to take some time off sometimes and do ‘nothing’.
Ask For Help
Asking for help from others can make us feel like we’re failing as a parent or caretaker, but being a parent is hard, so there’s no reason to feel bad about asking for help. Whether it’s watching your child for a short time so you can get something done, like go to site for online CPR training or running a quick errand, friends and family are often happy to help. It’s also good for children and teens to know that they can turn to other trusted adults in their lives. Depending on how old the child is, you can also ask them to do tasks around the house that are right for their age to help you with some of the daily tasks.
Maintain Your Energy Levels
Taking care of your physical health can make you feel better mentally and emotionally. A healthy, well-balanced diet can make you feel better physically, and avoiding certain foods can help you feel better when you’re sad or worried. Regular exercise doesn’t have to mean running 5ks. It can also mean going for regular walks, doing yoga, or visualizing where you want your life to go so you can make better plans for the future.