Being a parent is unbelievably rewarding. It can also be draining. As you pack lunches, soothe a distraught child in the middle of the night, rush to meet work deadlines, and shepherd last-minute school projects, it is easy to lose track of your own needs. And if you’re running on empty, it’s a lot harder to be a calm, patient, and present parent.
You need to take care of yourself. Here are five strategies to help you stay balanced and emotionally fueled.
Develop Modest, Regular Routines that Put you First.
Small daily habits like enjoying a quiet cup of coffee before the rest of the house wakes up or ten minutes of stretching before bedtime create islands of calm in the storm. Lighting a candle, listening to a favorite playlist, or going for a short evening walk are small things that can go a long way. If you’re consistent about it, even a few minutes of peaceful refuge each day can help ground you when everything else feels chaotic.
Move your Body.
Exercise needn’t be intense or time-consuming. In fact, some of the most effective mood boosters are the simplest: dancing in the kitchen with your toddler, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to the mailbox.
Movement helps clear your head, manage stress, and boost energy. If your kids are old enough, use regular family fun like weekend hikes or bike rides to get your exercise.
Indulge in the Uplifting.
When you’re always in go mode, your mind can start to feel cluttered. Set aside time to reconnect with the things that make you you, whether this means writing in a journal, watching a documentary, listening to a funny podcast as you wash the dishes, or immersing yourself in a good book. Ten quiet minutes before bedtime can really recharge your mental batteries.
Unwind with a Favorite Drink.
After a day filled with school pickups and snack negotiations, sometimes you just need to exhale. For some parents, this means enjoying a cozy herbal tea. Others prefer something a little more modern.
More and more moms and dads are turning to infused beverages, a soothing, alcohol-free way to relax and feel light without having to deal with a foggy morning-after feeling. By providing a calming and euphoric vibe, THC drinks are a great way to enhance low-key evenings or get-togethers with friends.
Accept Help Without Guilt.
Nowhere is it written that you’re supposed to do it all alone. Learn to lean on others. Swap playdates with other parents. Ask your partner to take over for an evening. Or even, when you can, hire someone to share the load. Accepting help doesn’t make you less of a parent. Just a human one.
Ben Austin is the founder and CEO of multi-award-winning digital marketing agency Absolute Digital Media. Ben loves to write and share exclusive insights into the world of digital marketing from his own eyes.
