Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay ​

It is easy to become so focused on the needs of everyday life when raising kids, that a parent can forget to take care of oneself. And yet, if a parent is to be effective in caring and nurturing a child, it is vital that the parent make sure to do their own self-care.

When you take the effort to give yourself the care you need you receive many benefits:

1. Promotes work-life balance. Our society praises hard work, but overworking can decrease your productivity and leave you feeling drained and disorganized. On the other hand, taking breaks, refocusing on your needs, checking in to see what you need to do to refuel physically, emotionally and mentally. By doing so, you are increasing your, awareness,  energy and vitality to be more productive in both work and home life. 
2. Manages stress. While a little bit of stress is necessary to push you forward, too much stress can cause ill health. But engaging in self-care helps to reduce the toxic effects of stress, boost your mood, and increase your energy levels. When you have more energy, you are less apt to over react with your loved ones. 
3. Increases self-worth. Be a priority in your life. Self-care encourages you to sustain a healthy relationship with yourself by eliminating your self-judgment and increasing your confidence and self-esteem. Although you may have other responsibilities and demands, you also have a responsibility to yourself. 
4. Improves your relationships. Parents report that when they include appropriate self care of themselves, their relationships with their kids change. They receive greater respect from their kids with more cooperation and less arguing and fighting. 

Choosing to do things for you that allow you to have a break from the worries, to-do's, and demands of raising a family is totally up to you. If you aren't into the routine of caring for yourself and you struggle with what you might do, check out some of the ideas listed below. Be willing to play with new ideas that light you up and vitalize your energy. Remember this about being YOU. 

• Be Grateful. So important to overcome the demands and judgments that we face each day. 
• Let Go of Perfection. It will be okay and life will go on and you will see that you are perfect just the way you are without the need to judge yourself. 
• Reconnect with Friends. Grown up time that allows you to be social and enjoy the company of other people. Choose friends that support and encourage you. And will be honest with you. 
• Feel good. Do one thing just for the sheer joy of it.
• Meditate. Spend a few minutes in solitude with your thoughts.
• Declutter/Clean & Tidy Up. Create more space around you by eliminating things that no longer serve you.
• Unplug. Remove your devices from the area for a period of time and explore the world around you. 
• Challenge yourself. take yourself out of your comfort zone and see what else is possible. 
• Learn something new just for you- Do something outside of your comfort zone.
• Clean up your social media feeds. Unfollow or unfriend those who bring your thoughts down.
• Say "Hello" to your body. How is she/he doing in this moment. Does it require any special attention?
• Breathe. Take a few deep breaths to bring more oxygen and vitality to your body, mind and spirit. 
• Dance. Turn up your favorite music and allow yourself to just move with it. 
• Stretch. Ahhh, yes that's it, what areas of your body could use a good stretch to improve flexibility and movement?
• Walk or run. Movement gets you energized for the future moments. 
• Sunshine. Being in the sun lifts the spirit. 
• Plan a weekend/one-day getaway. Relax and enjoy a different environment. 
• Eat nutritious food/Make or Order Your Favorite Meal. Be aware of what makes your body feel it's best. 
• Wear Something You’ll Love. Allow yourself to indulge in feeling good and looking good.
• Read. Spend time reading something that allows you to be inspired and entertained. 
• Be Honest. Give yourself a check-in with how you really are doing and what's going on. 
• Journal. A safe place to bring your thoughts out and see them for what they are. 
• Spa Time. Whether it's treating your feet, face or body, indulge in caring for your body which will improve your mental and emotion needs too. 
• Delegate One Task. Give away something that you are doing to someone else who may love doing it, or empower your kids to do more of what you are doing-be a team. 
• Go To Bed Early Tonight/or take a nap. Treat yourself to added rest. Notice how it makes a difference
• Take Yourself on a Date. Treat yourself to a special day/evening
• Create a Parents Savings Jar. Model for your children how you can put away money for things that you want to do or have. 
• Celebrate. Feel free to celebrate life, living and all that is. 
• Say no to an Obligation. This is very liberating. 
• Set a Time-Out. You know when you need one, set and make it happen, even if it is just for 5 minutes.  

Start a practice of your own self care routine- if you like, it can be different every day. Bring the kids in on it too and do it as a family.  Many of these things don’t take much time, but they give you a focus on you. When I am resistant to doing my own self-care, I recognize that is about my own self-worth and then I acknowledge that I need some "Me" time and I choose something.

For more tips about the value of self and care and getting comfortable with your self-care listen to the replay of Vital Care for Parents on the Be You Parenting Radio show.  

Image above provided by: Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay