It's important parents get a little TLC too. Picture: Shutterstock.
Being a parent is fantastic, but also exhausting!
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It's important parents take care of themselves, not just for their own sake, but to give them more energy, hope, patience and happiness to share with their kids.
Simple steps include:
- Do things you enjoy regularly - reading, walking, gardening, or taking part in religious or cultural activities.
- Catch up with a dear friend.
- Rock out to your favourite music.
- Keep a journal, noting down things you're proud of and grateful for.
- Spend time in nature, even if you're just sitting in the garden.
- Download a meditation app - they have one-minute meditations for beginners.
- When you finish a task, take a moment to congratulate yourself.
- Get into the habit of noticing things that give you happiness, even small stuff like taking a hot shower or looking at a nice view.
- Go somewhere you've never been before, even if it's just an unfamiliar street in your neighbourhood.
- Make your bedroom or workspace nicer, perhaps by cleaning, decluttering, letting in natural light, or adding a plant or a photo.
- Celebrate an anniversary or a day that's important to you.
See self-care tips for parents/carers from ReachOut and Raising Children Network.
