Self-Care Reimagined (7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity as a Parent)

Self-care is so important as a parent. If you are like me, you have heard that 19208346 times. You know it in your bones but are often unsure of how to actually practice self-care. I realized that as a mom, self-care looks completely different than it did before kids. I also realized, that self-care is even more important as a parent to maintain sanity.

Before kids, I enjoyed long showers and baths, quiet walks on the beach, and sleeping in. Now I have two little ones constantly tugging on my shirt and demanding things of me. It is exhausting! It drains every ounce of energy and can muddle your sense of self. I knew I had to find new ways to take care of myself so that I could maintain my sanity. In this post, I will share with you 7 ways that I practice self-care to maintain my sanity. But first, let’s talk about why self-care is so important.

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The Importance of Self Care

Think back to the last time you were on an airplane. The attendants are going through the safety instructions and you hear them say to “put your own oxygen mask on first, before assisting others.” The reasoning behind this is that you wouldn’t be able to assist anyone else if you pass out from a lack of oxygen yourself. You must care for yourself first.

Now, this may seem like an extreme example but it is a good illustration. Just like the phrase, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Practicing self-care is how you make sure that your metaphorical cup stays full. It is putting your own mask on first. Without self-care, you can’t put your best self out there for your kids. As parents, we give and give and give to our kids, self-care is how we refill ourselves so that there is more to give.

So How Do I Practice Self-Care?

This is the big question. I can’t go for quiet walks and there is absolutely no way that I can sleep in. Long showers are a thing of the past. With two kids, these things are impossible. These days, I don’t even get to take short showers every day. There have been times I couldn’t even remember my last one (I know that is really bad). I was spiraling down and I knew something had to change. So I reimagined my self-care routine and started to look at things from a different perspective.

Self-care can be anything that makes you happy. It is carving out even 5 minutes to yourself (even if that involves locking the bathroom door). As parents, alone time is valuable and rare, so it’s important to carve out a little bit whenever you can.

These are the 7 things that I do to practice self-care and maintain my sanity as a mother.

1. Drink coffee when it is fresh and hot

This may seem a little silly, but it makes a huge difference in how my day begins. I have been averaging 3-4 hours of sleep per night since my second child was born. Coffee has been a necessity for facing the day. Making sure that at least 1 cup of coffee I drink is fresh helps me to have a clear head as I start my day. Let’s be real, we all know fresh coffee tasted better than reheated coffee. That is why I want to have 1 cup right away when it is brewed. Setting up the coffee machine the night before helps accomplish this. Often, it also means turning on the television for a bit in the morning to distract my toddler as I enjoy my sweet cup of Joe.

2. Eat breakfast (and every other meal)

Don’t skip meals! Self-care can be as simple as making sure you eat. It is so easy to forget to eat or skip a meal, especially breakfast when you are scrambling to take care of kids. Without eating, you won’t have the energy to keep up with the littles. Breakfast can be the hardest for me to remember since I’m so groggy in the morning, but it is also the most important. It is all about starting the day with the right mindset and enough energy to put your best self forward. Even a piece of toast for breakfast is better than nothing!

3. Exercise

Being physically active is key to my happiness. I feel so much better when I have made time for some exercise. This might be a 15-minute yoga session during nap, or even a walk with the kids. Sometimes I even workout with the kids crawling all over me! Doing some sort of physical activity (other than cleaning the house) is an integral part of my self-care routine. It re-centers my mind and body. Plus, contrary to what you might think, I actually feel more energized when I exercise! That extra energy is crucial when chasing after a toddler all day.

Read more about how to fit exercise into a busy life!

4. Watch a favorite T.V. show or read a book

These things need to be done while kids are sleeping, but are great for relaxing and unwinding after a long day. I like to enjoy some entertainment that isn’t made for kids as a way to tune out and get lost in another world. Watching my favorite show or reading my book is how I can achieve this. This usually means letting the dishes sit in the sink a little longer or putting off vacuuming the house. My own sanity and self-care are far more important to me than a clean house though. The chores can wait while mommy relaxes and recharges.

5. Take a nap

My kids both still nap, which is why this is an option for me. Some days, I’m just too tired and so in order to take care of myself, I need to nap when they nap. Again, this means putting off some chores, but self-care needs to take priority. If your kids don’t nap, go to bed early if you need it. We all need some extra sleep sometimes. Now, I do think it is important to keep a clean house since living in clutter and filth will not help your mood but you can find a balance between the cleaning and your other basic needs.

6. Shower

It’s amazing how much better I feel after taking a shower. If I’m in a real funk, I often try to remember when my last shower was. The bad thing is that sometimes, I simply can’t remember. Getting clean can recharge me in ways that I never dreamed possible. The lesson, don’t go too long without a shower!

7. Get outside

It is proven by science that sunshine along with the vitamin D that it provides increases a person’s happiness. I make sure to get myself and the kids as much time outside in the sun and fresh air as possible. We are all better for it. If it is too cold, this outdoor time might only be a 10-15 minute walk, but it helps beat the winter blues. Outdoor time is so important for parents as well as kids. Let them play in the mud while you soak up some sun!

For more ways to beat the winter blues, check out my toddler’s winter bucket list.

A Final Note on Self-Care

Everyone enjoys different things. I know people who truly enjoy cleaning. The process of cleaning their house makes them happy. For them, cleaning the kitchen might be part of their self-care routine. While I agree with the fact that clutter will dampen happiness, I don’t enjoy cleaning at all. For me, cleaning is a necessity, not a joy. The important thing is to know yourself and take the time to do what makes you happy. That is self-care as a parent. Some days you may get only 5 minutes of “me time” so make the most of it!

Another way to phrase self-care is by calling it self-love. When you love yourself, you care for yourself. It’s a simple idea that can make the world of difference. For more ideas on self-love, check out 19 Self-Love Habits to Develop in 2019.

What do you do to practice self-care?

 

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