Parenting and Sanity: The Balancing Act
By Virginia Laird
I read an article about a parent who had twins. She felt extremely overwhelmed and (at times) mentally beat down. Although she loved her children, she needed an occasional break to restore her sanity. This is actually quite common. There are things you can do to get clear your mental state. It is important to put your health and sanity first. Working out can provide a sweet (and temporary) escape. Some common concerns among parents:
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Who will watch my kids while I work out? Set your mind at ease by selecting a gym that offers a form of child care.
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Will I feel guilty spending time on myself? Keeping healthy is never anything you should feel guilty about. I hope that my example of exercise will encourage my children to choose a healthy lifestyle.
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How can I find time to work out when I am already exhausted? Although you may begin your workout as exhausted, your body’s chemistry has a way of getting rid of this feeling when involved in physical activity.
There are a ton of benefits physically to working out; below, I want to share with you a couple that are mentally beneficial.
Working Out Can Be an Escape From Reality
There are times that parents can feel extremely overwhelmed. Exhaustion can take its toll on your brain and your body. When this happens, it can become easier to lash out at children, your spouse, or anyone in your path. During a workout your mind can escape the everyday hustle and bustle. It is easy to take any built up frustration out on your workout. This can be freeing. You may even find that you have the ability to lose your troubles while participating.
Your Workout is Good for the Whole Family
A good workout goes a long way. Allowing yourself just a bit of time alone to refuel mentally and physically can offer you many benefits. Many people find that after a workout they have a lower stress level and are able to stay focused, feel energized, happier, emotionally fed and have a drive to accomplish many things. These perks are great for the whole family. The old saying that comes to mind is, “if momma ain’t happy, nobody's happy.” Although a touch cliche’, there can be truth to this idea. Working out can help keep you sane. As most parents already know, parenting and maintaining sanity is a balancing act.
To learn more about your health and wellness, visit your local The Joint Chiropractic.