The term “self-care” seems to be trending in parenting circles since the pandemic; the period of isolation illuminated the epidemic of parental burnout. As we enter winter, seasonal mood shifts will increase for many, worsening the feelings of overstimulation we already experience. Experts and influencers recommend practicing self-care, but the examples they provide are often unattainable or too time-consuming for a busy parent. Not everyone can afford a weekly pedicure, and most parents do not have time to spend soaking in a bubble bath.
The good news is that regular self-care does not have to be expensive or time consuming, nor does it require adding another task to the family calendar. In this article, we will explore three self-care routines that can easily be woven into our daily lives. These tips and tricks should only fill your cup, as opposed to leaving you with another spill to clean up.
Three self-care tips to pour into your cup, without it overflowing…
Stay hydrated
Caffeine consumption has been prevalent in parent circles for generations. How else do you expect us to get through the classroom party and the PTA meeting, after being up all night with an infant? Our quick and easy answer to thirst is almost always another coffee or soda. However, thirst is our body’s way of requesting water, and continuously quenching ourselves with caffeine can cause more stress in the long run.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, while regular consumption of caffeine doesn’t cause dehydration directly, drinking predominantly caffeinated beverages significantly increases the risk. They say the best way to stay hydrated without giving up caffeine is to alternate between caffeinated and uncaffeinated drinks throughout the day. In addition to preventing dehydration, this simple step will guarantee at least a little mood boost, as you will not be ignoring a biological need. It will also help you avoid that mid-day crash that undoubtedly comes with the constant coffee drip.
Eat breakfast
We’ve all heard the old adage that breakfast is “the most important meal of the day,” yet it still remains a commonly skipped meal. Logically, we know that a cup of coffee with a shot of cream does not constitute breakfast, yet it seems to do the trick…Or does it?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, regularly eating breakfast can improve heart health, lower the risk of developing diabetes and reduce brain fog in adults. Breakfast doesn’t have to take a ton of time, either. A granola bar, cheese stick or powdered breakfast shake can be enough to kickstart your metabolism and help protect your mental health.
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Do nothing
As ridiculous as it sounds, set aside ten minutes every day to do absolutely nothing; sit in silence. Maybe find a few minutes before you wake the kids for school, or after they go to bed at night, to sit on the sofa and literally just exist. Believe it or not, experts say it can work wonders for your mental health.
According to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, ten minutes doing absolutely nothing (including doomscrolling) has significant measurable benefits. Experts consider this time to be a “brain nap,” so to speak, citing that your brain needs rest just like your body. Setting aside even short bursts of time each day, with no task whatsoever to focus on, can improve focus, heart health, stress hormone levels, emotional balance and sleep quality.
The core definition of self-care is to care for oneself. Though it is cliche, it is also true that we cannot properly care for our children if we do not first care for ourselves. We genuinely cannot pour from an empty cup. However, we also need not fill our cup with luxurious and expensive items; we do not consider this necessary when caring for our children. We feed our kids and ensure they get rest, so why should we not do the same for ourselves? It really is that simple, and hopefully understanding that simplicity makes self-care seem less like another task and more like the attainable necessity it is.
