Welcome back, My Fabulous Fixers!
Today, we’re tackling a topic close to my heart for “Fix It Friday”: Mental Health Boosts for Busy Parents. As a parent, especially one managing a household with special needs, finding time for mental health can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But fret not! I’ve got some quick and practical tips to weave a little Zen into your bustling routine.
1. Serenity Sips: Transform your daily cup of tea or coffee into a tranquil ritual. Savor each sip, let the warmth calm your senses, and allow the aroma to guide you to a moment of peace amidst the chaos. I try to take a few moments every morning to enjoy the ritual of my morning coffee. The first few sips are my warm wake-up on cold mornings. It is quiet and peaceful. It’s my moment before waking everyone up for the day.
2. Positive Affirmations: Have a few uplifting phrases at your fingertips to whisper to yourself throughout the day. These small seeds of positivity can bloom into a more optimistic mindset. I use an app called Moonly – they aren’t paying me – but I love this app. It gives me a positive affirmation every day, as well as tracking the lunar calendar. I can’t speak highly enough about Moonly, especially if you are a bit witchy. There is an astrological calendar, runes, and tarot too. That being said, there are lots of apps that give you positive affirmations right on your phone – a place most of us spend a great deal of time.
3. Movement Magic: Exercise doesn’t always mean a full workout. A dance to your favorite song or a quick walk around the block with the kids can elevate your mood and energy levels. Walking is the best exercise! It is so good for you! I credit walking for my weight loss. Adding steps to your day adds minutes to your life. So, take the stairs, if you can. Every step you take is crucial to your health.
4. Laughter Therapy: Keep a stash of funny videos or memes that make you giggle. A good laugh can be surprisingly restorative. I love to laugh. Lucky for me, my youngest son is a natural comedian. He loves silly jokes almost as much as I do. My social media feeds aren’t doom scrolling, it’s all comedy. I feel like you reflect what you absorb. So, only try to absorb the good stuff.
5. Connection Corner: A quick call or text to a friend can remind you that you’re not alone on this parenting journey. Sometimes, sharing a laugh or a sigh is all you need to lighten your load. Even simple commiseration – knowing you aren’t alone or crazy or ruining your kids – means so much. Speaking of commiseration, if you are worried that you are ruining your kids, you are not. In fact, not only are you not ruining your kids, but you are also probably doing a pretty good job. I mean, you are reading a parenting article right now, that in itself shows that you care.
Remember, it’s not about carving out hours from your day; it’s about integrating small steps that can lead to big changes in your mental health. And don’t forget, self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so let’s keep ours filled!
Remember, in the whirlwind of parenting, it’s the little moments of self-care that can illuminate our days the brightest.
As always, my friends, enjoy the GLO!
#KindnessNCake, #FixItFriday, #Parenting, #MentalHealth, #EnjoyTheGLO
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