Are You Filling Your Own Cup?
The more I speak to parents/carers about their challenges with being the parent they want to be, the more I hear “I don’t have time for me”. So whilst they have no time to replenish their own resources (you know, to add a little self-care into their schedule), they also expect themselves to consistently meet the needs of their children, without smashing any of the plates they spin.
Are you nodding your head as you read this?
I Never Have Time For Myself!
Parents are increasingly encouraged to do more but my question is, how far can you realistically push yourself before you break AND - do you really want to wait and see?
Are you aware of what happens when you’re at your limit? Do you see the patterns?
Here is a list of some familiar experiences…
Shouting at children and/or partner
Withdrawing/avoiding i.e. spending more time on social media or doing work
Thoughts about not being good enough
Comparing self to other ‘better’ parents
Tension headaches
Feeling overwhelmed and irritable
Increased anger
Inability to understand emotional responses
Feeling disconnected from loved ones
Not noticing children’s needs/ques
Do any of these resonate with you?
Three Ways To Feel Better, Now.
Stretch Your Body
Alice from Alice Godfrey Nutrition tells her busy female clients that stretching is good for energy levels (this is one of my go-to strategies). Stretching can be done anywhere and takes, literally seconds, out of your day. It takes energy to stretch but it has a positive impact of stress levels and it leaves your body functioning more efficiently, meaning you use less energy thereafter.
Breathe Deep
When we are stressed our breathing can become shallow and this then effects the amount of oxygen we have flowing through our body. Breathing deeply increases oxygen levels and helps us take control of our nervous systems which is one of the most important things when it comes to reducing stress and anxiety and inviting calm.
Eat Better
Nutritional therapist, Alice Godfrey, is kindly coming into our Facebook Group in August to talk more about how we can do this (if you’re not on Facebook, join the email community and I’ll send you a copy of her interview).
There are certain foods which can boost your energy levels (such as protein) and those to help your digestive system, which has a direct impact on your mental health and therefore how you feel.
Join us in The Parent Circle for more blogs and live videos to support your parenting
If you’re already familiar with what you’ve just read, but still don’t seem to make it happen then read this blog to find out what may be stopping you from putting this into action.
Recorded for The Parent Circle in August 2020