As the new year takes hold, many of us will be making our new year’s resolutions. As busy parents these are often about our home, our children, church, and work. We rarely make any resolutions about us. We rarely make the time to prioritize ourselves. Yet we know that if we fail to do this we will end up running on empty. This is why I’m sharing these 3 ways to look after yourself this year.
Make time for downtime
When you have a family, there is inevitably always something that you could be doing. The floors could be mopped one more time. You could get another load of wash in, or you could make another batch of food. You could weed the yard again, or you could clean the bathroom more often. The list is endless. The issue here is that you could easily always be on your feet getting things done. When is your downtime? We all need downtime.
The first thing you will need to do is accept that there is always going to be more you could do, but maybe you have done enough. Enough is good enough.
Your downtime can be spent with your family and this can be precious time. Instead of cleaning around the kids while they play, sit down and join them. Make time to have family movie nights together. Plan that Star Wars movie marathon. Free up time to get into the great outdoors; take a picnic and enjoy it.
You could also take five for yourself. Grab a hot bath, or enjoy a drink while you read a magazine. Walk the dog or enjoy a yoga session. These are little things, and yet making time for downtime will help you find more balance in your day to day life.
Pay attention to your health
We are usually so busy running around after everyone else that we fail to pay attention to our own health. This year, make an effort to do so.
You can start by addressing a few of the basics. Drink enough water each day and cut down on any caffeine and nicotine. Try to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.
If you have any health concerns, address them sooner than later. Make that appointment with your dentist, get to the digestive disease clinic or book yourself in for an eye test.
Do something that is just for you
It is so important that you do things that are just for you. Not because you have to, not because you are doing something for someone else, but because you are important and you deserve to have your own interests.
What do you love to do or what have you always wanted to try? What do you wish you could do?
Perhaps you love to read or maybe you want to go to dance classes? Perhaps you enjoy running or maybe you have a passion for photography? Think about what helps to relax you or refresh you, and aim to do more of that this year.
Having interests outside of your home and family that are just yours, will boost your confidence and enable you to be a better member of the family. You will have more patience and energy as you will have recharged yourself.
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