Growing at Home - Self Care for You and the Family
When we think of self-care, our minds often go to yoga classes and massages, and while those are great things that we should definitely do when social distancing ends…they don’t really help much with our daily self-care. Rather than trying to incorporate some new hobby that you won’t want to keep up with, let’s talk about how your family can incorporate self-care into your daily activities.
Food – Everyone has to eat, so choose food that nourishes you, and try to snack on fruits, vegetables, or nuts. To get started on healthy recipes you can make as a family, check out Cooking with Collins on our blog. Take time to eat your meals mindfully; rather than turning on the TV, engage in conversation with your family members. Try some of these table topic ideas to keep your family focused.
Sleep – Sleep is important! You should be spending about 1/3 of your life sleeping. Something that you’re spending that much time doing should be enjoyable. Get a pillow that supports you and make your space as comfortable as you can. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, make bedtimes for the entire family a little earlier if necessary. You need your rest to keep up with your kids and your kids need rest so that they don’t get irrationally emotional or grumpy throughout the day.
Self Talk – How do you talk to yourself? Most of us know that if anyone talked to us the way we talk to ourselves, we probably wouldn’t be friends with that person. The way you want to uplift your friends when they are struggling, is how you should uplift and talk to yourself. Your kids can fall into this trap too, they need to be reminded to talk positively to themselves.
Accomplishments – Keep track of the things you do, no matter how small. When you do the laundry or wash the dishes, or get little Suzie to put on her socks, these count as things you accomplished today! Keep track of your family’s accomplishments and be proud of them at the end of the day. On the same note, while it’s easy to let things get away from you when everyone is home, do your best to keep yourself organized so that you feel confident and comfortable in your space.
Gratitude – We’ve talked about gratitude before and how it helps us to be more focused and kind. Look around at all that you have to be grateful for, from the sun shining to a phone call with Aunt Sue. Keep track of things you’re thankful for, as a family, in a journal or on a positivity board.
Exercise – I personally hate to exercise, but there are things we can do to get moving that don’t involve the gym or weightlifting. If you haven’t checked out Coach Caleb’s Moving in the Morning on our blog, I would definitely suggest starting there for some fun exercises the whole family can do at home. Go for a walk, ride a bike, find what you enjoy and what works for you. Make sure you get outside no matter how busy your work from home schedule is.
Fun – Think of something fun just for you. What did you enjoy doing as a kid? Whether it was roasting marshmallows or playing hopscotch, try those things with your kids now. Stay unplugged during the whole activity, no screen time or social media. If you have a pet, make some extra time for cuddles.
Time to think and process – A little bit of distraction can be good by taking a break watching a TV show or reading a book. However, what you need more of is some time to think and process what you’ve been feeling. Give yourself time to think by journaling, drawing, exercising, etc. Check out Crayola or Art is Fun for free coloring pages you can print off.
For more tips on incorporating self care into your daily life, check out Psychology Today or Wanderlust.