Who is taking care of you?

In these pandemic and lockdown times, we may be leading somewhat simpler but not necessarily easier lives. We may put others first with homeschooling and housework during the day, working late into the night. And then our health starts to suffer. In many cases, it is our gut telling us to stop and listen with signs of increasing food sensitivities, bloating, fatigue, irritability, poor memory and frustration to name just a few. Many of us may feel “wired and tired” or simply burnt out.  

To help you put yourself first again, here are some tips:

• Schedule time for you every week. And then every day. You need to put yourself first so you can teach/demonstrate to those around, and looking to you, to take care of yourself. 

• Get regular sleep - often I see that parents only time for themselves is after everyone has gone to bed. Getting to and up from bed at the same time each day and aiming for around 8 hours of sleep is a great investment in your physical and mental health. You will have more energy, brain clarity and motivation.

• Delegate - A key area is the work that needs to be done to run the house by finding age-appropriate chores for kids because it challenges us parents to give more responsibility to our kids. And the kids love the challenge and the feeling of mastering a new skill. 

• Finally, celebrate your wins. The busier we are, the more likely we are to see the items left do on the list, and ignore all those the items that have been checked off. Take some time to look at all that you have achieved, all that you have and celebrate!

Although our current circumstances are temporary, we each need to still have measures in place to take of ourselves. This is more important now than ever. Taking care our yourself first means that you stay healthy in order to look after those around you.