Self-Care Ideas for Parents

“Self-care is turning some of the nurturing energy you give to your child, toward yourself” -Kristi Yeh, LMFT

1. Take a short walk outside. You can double task your self-care by listening to some of your favorite music, a podcast, or use this time to be mindful about your surroundings.
2. Take a hot bath or shower. Make sure to indulge in bath bombs, shower steamers, a face mask, etc.
3. Read a book or listen to music for a few minutes. Set up a cozy spot for you to truly sink in with your book, music, podcast, or even a TV show.
4. Practice deep breathing exercises. Using guided meditations or apps are great for this!
5. Journal about your thoughts and feelings. Try out guided journals or open ended brain dumping, each day your need might be different.
6. Drink a cup of herbal tea, cocoa, or prioritizing 5 minutes for your morning coffee by yourself.
7. Call a friend or family member for support. Even sending texts of encouragement to others can be helpful to shift your mood.
8. Get a good night’s sleep whenever possible. Sometimes this may be out of our control, but by finding ways that help us wind down at night we can help set ourselves up for success. I love to use my heated blanket and a warm shower or bath before bed.
9. Take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Block time throughout your day when you know it is your time, even 2-5 minutes to take a deep breath and have a snack can help you reset.
10. Exercise or stretch when possible. Even a 5 minute stretching video on YouTube can help release endorphins and reduce stress.