Parenting can take a lot out of you, and finding ways to relax and take care of yourself isn’t easy. The key is finding little things that reduce stress and give you a break from the busy parenting life. Here are 6 simple ways you can take care of yourself as a busy parent.
1. Take care of physical health
The mind-body connection can’t be discounted, and taking care of your physical health can provide plenty of mental benefits as well. Exercise is always one of the best things you can do to relax and blow off some steam. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that trigger a positive reaction in your body. Plus, exercising can help you feel healthier, which also tends to lead to a more positive outlook. If you’re spending a lot of time sitting in the house parenting your kids, try to find some ways to get outside and exercise with them. Physical health isn’t just about hitting the gym. Prioritize skin care; after all, it’s the largest organ in your body. Adopting a regular skin care routine can make all the difference in how you feel and look. Another physical health must-have? Great dental care, both at-home and at the doctor’s. Worried about cost? There are plenty of ways to afford the tooth care you need, like this 1Dental savings plans, or by setting aside money from your paycheck every month to a separate account.
2. Healthy eating
Another thing you have to focus on if you want to take care of yourself as a parent is your diet. The foods you eat have a big impact on your mood, especially when you consider the fact that your overall health impacts your mood as well. Make sure you’re eating plenty of vegetables and foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin D. While treating yourself to a cheat meal every now and again is also a good way to relax a bit, a healthy diet is a key to taking care of yourself as a parent, and will help teach your children great habits. If you want to make it easier on yourself, order food subscription boxes like HelloFresh that come with all the ingredients you need to quickly prepare a healthy and tasty meal, any night of the week.
3. Exercise your brain
As important as it is to exercise your body to improve your mental and emotional health, exercising your brain is also important. The problem is, most of us don’t work our brains enough as adults because we’re not forced to do so in school. If you find yourself getting irritated easily, picking up a book might be the answer to your problems. Simply letting yourself get lost in a story is a great way to exercise your brain and relax. If you want to up the ante, consider a brain training app like Lumosity.
4. Learn a skill
For some parents, bad moods are a result of feeling stuck and doing the same things every day. If you feel like you’re not doing enough in your day-to-day life, learning a new skill is a good way to engage your brain and find a new activity you enjoy. You could learn how to bake, make your own clothes or design graphics with Photoshop. Whatever skill you choose, it’s a great way to reclaim some of your own time and find enjoyment in life.
5. Get some sun
While diet and exercise are the biggest keys to a healthy body, you need plenty of sunlight as well. Sunlight delivers vitamin D to the body, which helps keep bones and teeth healthy in addition to boosting your mood. This is why many people find themselves down in the dumps during the winter, but happy on a bright summer day.
6. Find ways to unwind
At the end of the day, being a parent is all about improvising. Sure you can’t do all the things you used to do, but you can still find ways to relax and unwind at the end of a stressful day. Whether you like playing video games, watching TV or reading about your favorite sports team, taking some time out for yourself in the evening to unwind is always healthy. If you like to unwind with cannabis use, find yourself a quality bong that will last and work great like those offered at Vitae Glass. In places where it’s legal, cannabis is quickly becoming a popular way to de-stress and reduce anxiety, so it’s the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long week.
Being a parent is a busy job that can lead to a lot of stress, but it’s worth it in the end. If you’ve found yourself having trouble relaxing and taking care of yourself mentally and physically lately, try some of these methods.