Parenting can be a stressful job. Especially when you're facing parenting challenges, most of your time and attention can be focused on your child or children.
Here are some ideas for things you can do for yourself to reduce stress:
- Make time for yourself. Just as your kids need privacy and alone time, so do you! If you have trouble taking time for yourself, remember a child's needs are best met by a parent's whose needs are met. Even 15 minutes of breathing space can help you return to parenting refreshed.
- Talk to a friend. Share your feelings and frustrations with someone.
- Be physically active. Adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days OR 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity on 3 or more days each week. Walk, ride a bike, shoot hoops, dust those skis off. Oftentimes you'll feel refreshed and more positive after some exercise.
- Learn relaxation techniques:
- Deep Breathing: pay attention to your breath as you take a long breath in and then release it
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation: tense and relax various muscles, one at a time. Notice the difference.
- Meditation: with eyes closed, concentrate and silently repeat a word (such as peace, love, etc.)
- Visualization: picture a peaceful place. Imagine it with all your senses (sight, smell, sound, touch). With practice, it will be easier and easier to return to this peaceful place.
- Array