Parents! Keep Your Mental Health in Check With These!
By Genevieve Cunningham
Being a parent is hard work. It requires serious dedication, amazing selflessness, and self-discipline in every situation. It requires sleepless nights, early mornings, and hours and hours of worry. Parents love their kids, there’s no doubt, but the actual job of parenting is incredibly tough. And if we’re being honest, it can take a serious toll on our health -- both physically and mentally. But in order to take care of your family in the best way possible, you have to first take care of your own health … especially your mental wellness. If you need a little self-care in the mental health department, take a look at these tips to get you started.
Ask for Help
You want to do it all. You think you’re supposed to do it all. But if you actually try, it will practically kill you! Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. If the grandparents are nearby, ask them for some assistance in whatever way you need it. No family near? Ask friends, community members that you trust, or hire a housekeeper or babysitter for a while. There’s no shame in asking for help, and in the long run, it may very well save your health.
Maintain Some Hobbies
It’s easy to get so caught up in the lives of your children, it’s easy to forget that you have a life too! In order to maintain some balance, keep some of your favorite hobbies. Spend a few minutes every day, or at the very least every week, participating in your hobby completely kid-free. Even if you can’t find somewhere for the kids to go, engage in your hobby as much as possible. This will help you maintain your own life, and give you a bit of purpose through the muck of childrearing.
Talk to Someone
Sometimes professional help is the best option. While that sometimes means medication, other times it just means having someone to talk to. To vent to. To get it all out with. Don’t be afraid of hiring a therapist to help you work out any frustrations or problems that you’re experiencing. A professional can help you get to the root of your problems so that you can solve them one and for all.
It’s OK to admit that parenting is hard. Don’t let stigmas or fear of judgment keep you from getting the help you need. Sometimes, you just have to put yourself first! Use these tips to keep your mental health intact, and your whole family may benefit from your very important focus on self-care.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chandler, Ariz.