Self-care is everywhere these days, and you’ll see it on social media, in the news, in magazines, and your friends and family might even mention it too. But if you’re a parent juggling all the things that parents have to juggle (and that’s a lot of things), the idea of self-care can feel like something that only other people can do. However, it’s important for everyone, and there are ways you can do it too, even if you don’t have a lot of time – keep reading to find out more.
What Can You Fit Into Your Day?
Self-care doesn’t have to take a lot of time if you’ve not got a lot of time – it can be really simple, like taking some deep breaths when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, for example, or sitting down with a cup of tea while it’s still hot (which can be quite a rare occurrence when you’re a busy parent). In the end, real self-care is what fits into your life, not around what you’re doing which only makes things harder.
Support That Helps Your Body Too
When you’re parenting non-stop, it’s not just your mind that gets tired – your body does too. All that lifting, bending, carrying, awkward sleeping, and stress tension can build up until you suddenly realise you’ve been hunching your shoulders and clenching your jaw for ages – and it hurts.
If that’s the case, getting some hands-on support can be ideal, and seeing an osteopath is a practical form of self-care, especially when you’re dealing with aches, stiffness, or feeling worn down. A great example of a place that can help is https://worthingosteopathicwellbeing.co.uk/.
Movement That Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise
Parents often think that self-care has to mean a gym class or a long run and so on, but actually the movement you do (which is important) can be quite gentle if you need and want it to be. You could do some stretches while you’re cooking dinner, for example, or you could take the kids to the park for some fresh air and exercise.
These might only be small burst of movement, and they might not feel like exercise as such, but they’re helping with your circulation, they’re letting your body loosen up, and they’ve even giving your brain a bit of a re-set.
Prioritise Quiet Moments
It’s easy for parents to feel guilty about taking time for themselves, but the truth is that short, quiet moments scattered through the day can help you massively, and even one minute of silence with no phone or work to do can give you a wonderful small dose of calm that definitely adds up over time.
That’s why, if you can, you should try to carve out a few minutes in the morning or before bed to just sit, breathe, and relax.
Connect With Support
Self-care isn’t just about solo time; it’s also about connection. Talking to someone who gets it, whether it’s a partner, friend, or someone in an online forum, for example, can really help you say what you want to say instead of bottling it all up.
Looking for support (including professional support) can help you feel less alone, and that’s another form of self-care.
*This is a collaborative post
