Self-care! Why looking after yourself helps you look after your kids

Mums Tips

Fitness & Health

Published on Friday, 11 January 2019 12:07

Last Updated on 11 January 2019

Monica Costa

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I am a great believer in self-care. I am a happy person essentially because I regularly take time out for my self-care. Parenting is a 24-hour job that requires hard work, patience and sacrifice. As a result, it can be easy to stop caring for yourself, as your sole aim will be to raise happy, healthy children. However, believe it or not, self-care is beneficial to your children. If you want to become the best parent you can be, find out why looking after yourself helps you to look after your kids. 

Become a Good Role Model

Many parents feel guilty for taking time away from their children to exercise. While you might believe you need to be by their side every minute of the day, you don’t need to be with the right support system. If your partner or a babysitter can care for your children, set time aside to enjoy a little exercise. I play football in a ladies’ league, I fence and embrace any other fitness opportunity such as cycling, yoga, skiing as and when I need it. Sport and fitness is an essential part of self-care for me more than pampering. 

Not only will it help you to set an example to your children when it comes to their health, but you’ll also have the energy and strength to push a heavy pram, pick up your children, or play with them in the park.

 

Always Be There for Your Children

As parenting can be demanding, you might be tempted to put your health on the back burner to care for your children. However, ignoring an injury or complaint could lead to serious health and financial issues.

For example, if you sustain an accident at work, don’t overlook the injury and immediately seek medical support to make a swift recovery for your children. It’s also a smart decision to turn to www.the-compensation-experts.co.uk to make a personal injury claim, which can provide your family with financial support following an accident or illness.

 

Create a Happy Home Life

It’s common for parents to feel stressed, tired and irritable, especially if they are caring for young children. If you want to raise your children in a happy home, you must regularly find ways to relax and de-stress. If you are struggling to cope with the demands of parent life, it’s crucial to:

• Book a babysitter to enjoy a fun activity
• Enjoy an early night to catch-upon sleep
• Confide in a friend or relative about your feelings
• Embark on a relaxing activity (Read a book, enjoy a hot bath, go for a walk, etc.)
• Ask your loved ones to help out
• Talk to a doctor or counsellor about your emotions. Don’t be afraid to do it. You are not alone in that and the doctor will reassure you that there are so many other parents with similar issues. 

 

Make a Full Recovery from Postnatal Depression

Postnatal depression (PND) is a form of depression that many new parents commonly experience following the birth of their baby. It is an incredibly common disorder that reportedly affects 1 in every 10 women within a year of childbirth.

Postnatal depression symptoms can include:

• Persistent sadness or a low mood
• A lack of energy and lethargy
• A loss of interest
• A decrease or increase in appetite
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or guilt
• Concentration issues
• Insomnia
• Bonding issues with your baby. 

If you are a new parent and are experiencing some or many of the above issues, book an appointment with your doctor for both a diagnosis and treatment. By doing so, you will be able to overcome the debilitating emotions and develop a closer connection with your child, so he or she will feel both loved and cared for in their early years.

And don’t forget to take time out for self-care! 

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