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Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do because it’s not only essential to your emotional well-being but also to your productivity and sense of purpose. However, if you’re like many people, you probably don’t feel as though you have enough time in the day to take care of yourself.
If so, these 10 ways to take care of yourself as though you were your own parent will help you find some time and motivation to do it in practical ways that you can easily incorporate into your life right now.
Table of Contents
1. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 1 – Learn About Wellness
It’s important to not just be in good physical health, but also emotionally and mentally fit.
Before you can take care of someone else, you need to learn how to take care of yourself. For example, if you are responsible for a family member with an illness or disability, it is helpful for you to understand their challenges and how they impact daily life.
Reach out and connect with a local support group or caregiver agency that can provide you with resources about wellness for people in similar situations.
2. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 2 – Keep Fit
Many parents take a step back from exercise during times of stress, but when kids are involved it’s even more important to stay active.
Consider turning me-time into we time by taking your kids for a walk or hitting up a gym together.
If you don’t have any children, you could also just make a commitment to work out at least three times per week.
3) Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 3 – Get Enough Sleep
When you’re busy with kids it’s easy to neglect yourself and then wonder why you’re feeling exhausted all the time!
Getting enough sleep on a regular basis is an essential part of taking care of yourself. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get 7-9 hours of sleep each night for optimal health and performance.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try going to bed at a consistent time each night, making sure your bedroom is completely dark, and avoiding the use of electronics before bedtime.
4. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 4 – Eat Well
The saying goes you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself starts with eating properly. If your parent took care of you, then he or she instilled healthy eating habits in you early on. Continuing these habits is one way to help take care of yourself.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Avoid processed foods as much as possible—your body doesn’t need them!
5. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 5 – Get Enough Vitamin D
It’s tough to get vitamin D from food alone. In fact, most people don’t eat enough natural sources of vitamin D such as salmon and fortified dairy products.
To keep your bones healthy and strong, opt for an over-the-counter supplement. Taking 2,000 IU (international units) each day is a good start for most adults who aren’t pregnant or lactating. If you have osteoporosis or are in your later years, take 2,000 IU every day.
6. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 6 – Eliminate Stress
Stress is a killer; it not only makes us sick, but it literally ages us faster. Practice yoga or another stress-reduction practice like meditation or tai chi.
If you work long hours, try to break up your day with a walk or exercise at lunchtime. Don’t skip meals—it will be harder for your body to eliminate stress if you don’t give it fuel.
7. Self-Care As Your Own Parent Tip # 7 – Meditate
We often forget about ourselves in pursuit of our careers, families, and hobbies.
Meditation is a great way to practice taking care of yourself. Set aside sometime every day to meditate; you’ll find it helps make you feel more in control and at peace with yourself.
Don’t know how? Check out some meditation apps, like Calm or Headspace. These will guide you through your first few sessions and help you develop a daily practice that will be good for your body and mind.
8. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 8 – Laugh More
When you laugh, stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline stop pumping through your system.
Research even shows that laughter boosts immunity and strengthens blood vessels. Try sharing a joke or doing something silly with friends—it’s fun and contagious!
9. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 9 – Connect With Other People
Humans are a social species. To be healthy, we need people in our lives who love us and care about us. Caring for yourself is a great way to start, but caring for others is even better.
When you give others your time and attention, you feel valued, you make them feel valued, and you both come away healthier—even if it’s just a brief conversation at work or school or around town.
10. Self-Care As Own Parent Tip # 10 – Help Others
If you’re having trouble taking care of yourself, don’t feel bad. So many others have been in your shoes, and they’ve found a way out. If you have any friends or family who is facing similar struggles, let them know that they can lean on you for support while they work toward getting their life back together.
Want to learn more about taking good care of your inner child, get my favorite book Self Parenting: The Complete Guide to Your Inner Conversations, from Amazon.
