TIPS & TRICKS TO MAKE TIME FOR YOU
Socializing can lighten your mood and make you feel happier. Lower your risk of dementia – social interaction is good for your brain health. Promotes a sense of safety, belonging and security.
Dancing and listening to music can help reduce stress and anxiety levels by providing a healthy outlet for emotions. Moving to music allows the body to release tension and pent-up energy, which can help calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Silence gives you a chance to catch your breath and understand your feelings. It lets you press pause on a busy day and check in with yourself. This can help you feel more balanced and in control of your emotions.
When was the last time you took time for yourself? As a parent or caregiver, finding the time for yourself can be a challenge. Even if you manage to squeeze some time for self-care in your schedule, parents can often struggle with feelings of guilt and minimize the importance of self-care, in order to prioritize the needs of others (especially children). But once you get into the habit of taking care of yourself, you can devote more energy to those around you! Here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Do you know what’s in your community? Take a walk or a drive around your area and check out local parks, beaches or small stores! Explore your area while taking time for yourself!
- Local libraries are a wonderful resource. They have many activities and groups that will allow you to meet other adults who share a similar interest! Learn a new hobby or brush up on old skills!
- Visit a rec or community center or enroll in a gym! Engaging in physical activity can help improve mood, reduce stress and keep you in shape. There are often many options, so you are bound to fi nd an activity you enjoy. Don’t stress it out- sweat it out!
- Use your phone’s timer or scheduling app and make self-care a priority! Schedule some time for self-care during your day and set a timer to remind you! Stick to the same time every day, if you can, and you will slowly start to prioritize self-care as part of your daily routine!
Remember: you can’t pour into an empty bucket! If you aren’t taking care of yourself, you will not be able to take care of others.
HOW TO TEACH KIDS THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-CARE
Self-care is an important skill for everyone, including the children and youth in your life! Modeling positive self-care strategies and techniques will ensure that everyone develops a positive self-care habit! Here are some tips for teaching self-care:
- MODEL! If you don’t take care of yourself through self-care, the litt le people in your life won’t see it as valuable! If you show it, they will see it.
- Talk About it. Talk about the importance of self-care. Depending on the age of your child(ren), discuss strategies, how it improves mental health, how it is just as important as taking care of your physical health and invite questions.
- Plan together. Work with your children and develop a self-care schedule. Make sure each person in the household gets scheduled self-care time within the week. Talk about activities that could be seen as “self-care”. Remember, everyone will have a different opinion, so try and be as accommodating and welcoming to their suggestions as you can.
- Do Self-Care TOGETHER! Although self-care is generally an individual activity, try and spend an hour or so (minimum) a week doing things together. Paint each other’s nails or have a “spa day”, go on a walk in nature or do some yoga together.
- If your child is having a bad day or struggling to regulate, try to not take away self-care time as a consequence. Encourage a self-care activity when they’re struggling, and they will learn how to calm down and re-center!