As a parent your days are filled with snack making, craft projects, nap time battles and so much more. Getting a moment to yourself is few and far between, so you always want to make every second count as much as possible. When it comes to self care, parents don’t always get the break they deserve. This is why it’s important to have some go-to activities under your belt whenever that moment arises. Having a handful of inspiring ways to keep you going when your day is so centered around caring for your little one is vital for your physical and emotional wellbeing, so here are some ideas that might help you get started.
- Play an Online Game
When you get ten minutes to yourself as a busy parent, there is truly nothing better than allowing your brain to wander elsewhere. When playing a game of minesweeper you no longer have to think about what’s for dinner or how big the pile of laundry is; instead you focus on improving your tactical game techniques. Online games are super easy to access, and you can do it from anywhere in your home, or when you’re nap-trapped in the front of the car! They are also a great way for parents to shift their focus onto something other than their children so that you can feel refreshed and rewarded after your game has finished.
- Move Your Body
Although you probably get enough exercise naturally throughout the day as a non-stop parent, your self-care time could be well spent by moving your body in a gentle and productive way. Whether you’re going swimming to feel the weightlessness of your body, or you’re doing an online yoga class to stretch out your aching muscles, there are so many types of exercise you can do whenever you get the chance. Make sure it’s a type of movement that you enjoy so that you can stick to a regime and start to see the benefits after some time.
- Do a Creative Activity
Parents don’t always have time to express their creativity and do activities which truly bring them endless amounts of joy. If you’re creative at heart, then you should consider your self-care time carefully and try to do something that sparks joy inside you. Whether you’re practicing an instrument, singing, dancing or drawing, there are so many fun and creative things you can do as a parent during those peaceful moments at home.
- Enjoy a Hot Coffee
How many times during your life of being a parent have you actually managed to enjoy a hot cup of coffee? You aren’t afraid to admit that you’ve left a hot coffee sitting on the kitchen counter because you got distracted by a child-related problem in the house. When you find yourself with twenty minutes to spare, why not soak in the beauty of peace, quiet and a steaming hot cup of your favorite beverage? Try to make sure there will be no interruptions during the process!
- Call a Friend
Whether you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or you simply need to offload your problems to another person who cares about you, there is so much good to come from calling a friend. During your downtime as a parent you can relax and enjoy a conversation with someone you love. Catching up with your loved one will give you a renewed sense of energy for the rest of the day too!
- Take a Nap
You should never feel bad for taking a nap, even as a fully grown adult! Nap time isn’t just for your little ones, it’s for grown ups to catch up on sleep and get some well-deserved shut eye after a busy day. Think carefully about when you take your strategic nap as this is very important; try not to do it too close to your own bedtime as this could disrupt your sleep cycle for the evening. A quick thirty minute power nap in the early afternoon is the perfect way to practice self-care as a busy parent!
All of these ideas are very easy to do in a short space of time, which makes them ideal for busy parents who have a lot on their plate. Whether you’re calling a close friend for a chat, or you’re indulging in a creative activity that you love, there are so many ways to enjoy a small dose of self-care when you need it the most. Hopefully, at least one or two of these ideas will spark some inspiration so that you can enjoy your downtime in the most effective way possible!
