Balancing family life, work commitments, and personal responsibilities can be extremely demanding. So, it is only natural that something has to give.
Unfortunately, for many parents, that something is their wellness, which often gets put on the back burner until such time as it becomes an issue, or everyone else’s needs have been met.
Yet, maintaining your physical, mental and emotional health is just as essential for you as it is for everyone else. Doing this not only has a profound effect on your energy and mood, but also on your ability to care for your family effectively.
So, how do you find time for wellness when every hour of the day feels accounted for?
The answer lies in the series of small, intentional changes that come with a strategic approach and the right mindset. Here is how you can prioritise your self-care even during the busiest of family routines.
1. Prioritise Yourself Like You Prioritise Your Family
When a child has a school performance, you move mountains to make it. When your partner is sick, you’re on hand with tea and Panadol. But when it’s your own health that needs attention? It’s easy to brush it off or push it aside.
This is where a mindset shift becomes essential because you need to treat your wellness like you would a family commitment. Even if this means blocking it out on your calendar, make sure you protect it fiercely, and stop seeing it as indulgent.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, so filling yours first is essential.
2. Take Care of Your Appearance
Sometimes when you are constantly busy, your appearance can take a hit, which, in turn, can lead to a dip in self-confidence that can affect your overall motivation to invest in self-care.
Without doubt, when you look good, you feel much better about yourself. So, you should always take steps to look after your appearance.
Doing this can take many forms, including facials, manicures, skin treatments, and even an GRO Clinics Hair Transplant if you are suffering from thinning or balding hair.
Just by making a small investment in how you feel about yourself, it is amazing how it can translate into better sleep, better nutrition, and more motivation to move your body.
3. Build Mini Moments into the Day
You don’t need to schedule hours at a spa or an uninterrupted afternoon to focus on your wellness. Instead, look for micro moments that you can naturally slot into your day.
A quick 10-minute stretch session while the kettle boils can help ease tension, while taking a short walk around the block while your child’s at sports practice can be a great mood booster.
Additionally, breathing exercises can be done while waiting in the school pick-up line, and even drinking your morning coffee without your phone in hand (in other words, simply being present) can do wonders for mental clarity.
While these seemingly small actions might not look like much on their own, if done regularly, they can have a big impact on your overall wellness.
4. Lean on Your Network
Two things you should quickly come to terms with are that a) you don’t have to do everything alone, and b) asking for help is not a weakness.
That is why you should not be afraid to call upon the assistance of your nearest and dearest as and when required. Whether it’s a grandparent looking after the kids so you can go to a yoga class, or a partner taking over dinner duty so you can go for a walk, you probably have a bit of support you can call upon when you need it.
If you don’t have much help close by, see if you can trade favours with a friend or fellow parent. For instance, you could watch their kids for a couple of hours one afternoon, and they could return the favour next week. Alternatively, search for parent support groups.
By sharing the load a little, you will go a long way towards maintaining much better mental and physical health.
5. Make Wellness a Family Affair
Wellness doesn’t have to be something you focus on alone. Instead, it is something the whole family can do together.
For example, all of you could go for walks together after dinner, which can help you bond and unwind, whilst also getting exercise. Alternatively, a quick stretch or dance session in the morning can be a fun and energising start to the day for everyone.
You could also try cooking healthy meals together as a shared learning experience, while even something like a screen-free Sunday can help the whole family reset and relax.
The great thing about making wellness an inclusive family value is that you’re not only supporting your own health, but also that of your children and partner, too.
6. Learn to Say “No” Without Guilt
Busy families often come with busy calendars, which means there is always something happening. If it seems like there is a birthday party, fundraiser, working bee, parent-teacher nights or playdate every day of the week, it is important to understand that you don’t have to say yes to all of them.
In fact, learning to say no to events or tasks that drain your energy can be both empowering and essential to maintaining good wellness.
The more you can protect your time and energy, the more you’ll be able to make space for the things that do matter, i.e. spending quality time with your family and prioritising your own wellness.