As a parent you, have so many responsibilities that taking time for yourself is often challenging. And while it is hard to prioritize self-care activities, improving your well-being is one of the best ways to support your own overall health and act as a support system to others. When you pay attention to your well-being, you are reinvigorating yourself, so that you can be the best version of yourself for the people around you. It truly benefits everyone. Taking care of yourself allows you to care for the people you love. There are additional benefits, too.

Taking care of yourself results in:

• Better productivity
• Boosted immune system and improved resistance to illness
• Better physical health
• Enhanced self-esteem

As you find yourself hunkered inside, use this opportunity to recharge your batteries and support your own mental health with self-care activities. Self-care is the mindset, activities, practices, and habits implemented to combat stress, unhappiness, illness, and many more negative emotions. Self-care helps you feel better and be a better parent to your children.

Self Care for Parents

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about self-care:

1. Practice mindfulness by meditating or doing yoga.
2. Get more sleep – research indicates this is important.
3. Take a bubble bath.
4. Listen to an audio book or podcast.
5. Schedule self-care time. Even if it is five minutes of quiet time.
6. Read a book or magazine for an hour.
7. Give yourself permission to binge watch a show without guilt.
8. Write a list of ten things you are grateful for and why.
9. Buy a coloring book and crayons. Adult coloring is a great way to relax.
10. Work on a jigsaw puzzle.
11. Start a journal.
12. Go for a walk.
13. Do something you find relaxing and rejuvenating.

Self-care for parents does not have to be time consuming or complicated. Just make a little time to do things you enjoy.