I’ve touched on self-care several times previously but today I thought I’d share the (sometimes) random activities I partake in as a means of looking after my emotional wellbeing.
Self-care is important for everyone but especially for parents, and even more so for parents experiencing mental health problems. It is extremely individual and it can take some time to establish what small things you enjoy and what brings you comfort, relief and a chance to reconnect to yourself.
Here are some of the methods I use. Some are common and some, I admit, are not:
Meditation/hypnosis/mindfulness
A pretty common one, especially among anyone who suffers from anxiety or insomnia (as I have). There are plenty of free programmes on You Tube but I actually use two apps mostly. One is the very popular Headspace, I haven’t bought the subscription but I may do in future, instead I just use the free Take Ten series. It’s designed as only an introduction to mindfulness but I’ve listened to them again and again and find it really helpful.
I also have Glenn Harrold’s app, and I’ve downloaded several tracks including Relax & Sleep Well. I found these especially helpful when I went through an anxiety setback last year. Glenn’s accent can take a few minutes to get used to but I kind of love it now!
Watching crafting, organising and vlogging videos on You Tube
I don’t really craft much, except with Caterpillar, but I really want to and I think I partly watch these from an aspirational point of view, as if I had more time I would craft (poorly!). But mainly I just find watching these videos really relaxing and I don’t even know why. My current favourite You Tube crafter and organiser are The Frugal Crafter and Do It On A Dime respectively. Likewise, I love daily family vlogs like Daily Bumps.
Colouring
This is very in vogue at the moment and you would have to be walking around in the dark to not have seen the countless adult colouring products out there now. I was actually doing it before I realised it was a craze when I found it really relaxing to colour in my son’s pictures of Pixar characters! It has a very magical way of quietening the mind.
TV box sets
We used to have Netflix and now we have Sky, either way I have access to a whole host of brilliant telly that helps me to zone out of Mummy World and into Laura World when Hubs takes Caterpillar for his nightly bath. Current favourites are Modern Family, The West Wing and Scandal but it changes frequently.
Making loom bracelets
This is probably the oddest of all. Remember the craze from a year or two ago? Yep I still do it, and subsequently get my supplies very cheap now today’s kids have moved onto other pastimes! I love making intricate patterns, again by following You Tube. There is something about the creativity and repetitive nature that really soothes stress and anxiety. Don’t laugh until you’ve tried it! Here’s my favourite “loomer.”
Walking
Self-explanatory but just to say that when I first had Caterpillar, and I was at my most unwell, those hour long walks along the seafront with my newborn were a saving grace.
Riding the bus alone
I don’t drive so Caterpillar and I travel everywhere by public transport. Sometimes this is fun but often it’s stressful so on the odd occasion I’m on the bus or train alone, it’s bliss.
Shopping alone
As above, for the same reasons. With the added bonus of the potential to spoil myself, I recommend this for all parents.
Wine(!)
Not sure if this should be advised for self-care as it’s not exactly good for you but a chilled glass at the end of a day dealing with tantrums (Caterpillar’s and mine!) definitely helps me.
Writing
This blog has brought me more joy and more opportunity for self-care than anything else. Creative outlets are so important for our minds.
Making risotto
Seriously. Cooking in general calms me but especially the repetitive, time-consuming nature of risotto. I’m weird that way.
Putting on my make-up
The reasons are three-fold I think. Firstly, it’s repetitive and creative as most of this list is. Secondly, it’s a great daily opportunity to practice mindfulness. And finally, and importantly, it’s about doing something for you and making yourself feel more special.
Sitting in silence
Sometimes after dealing with lots of noise and activity all day simply sitting in a comfortable, dimly lit, cozy room in silence, or with some soft music if that’s your thing, can reduce stress levels tremendously
I hope these ideas are helpful to you. Essentially, it’s about you trying to find whatever it is that means self-care to you, and brings you calmness, and then trying to find a small slot of time each day to do it. Feel free to share your own ideas in the comments below.
Well done Laura for sharing your tips really helpful, my favourite things to reduce stress are:
staying in the moment as much as possible
Having a bath with candles
Having a special box of my fav things
And not over loading myself
Xx
Thank you, lovely! Love the box idea x
I love hearing how other people go about this, it’s such an important thing to keep hold of. I also enjoy that quiet time of putting makeup on, but my big ones are a bath so hot your skin goes all red, with lots of bubbles and candles, or a nice long walk outside to clear my head.
Yeah I love a scalding hot bath too! Thanks for reading 🙂
I love these tips. Sometimes caring for yourself some so low on the list of things to do, but you’re right it is so important. I have discovered that my favourite way to wind down after a demanding day is reading a trashy romance in a big big bubble bath. It works! #coolmumsclub
LOVE a trashy romance! That’s a good one 🙂
Thanks. I am turning into my Gran by re-reading the same books (mainly Jilly Cooper) over and over again.That way you save yourself the bother of following a storyline. x
Great ideas! I think it is important to have a range of ways to self-care and to stretch out of our normal go-to’s sometimes. Repetitiveness of the same activity does not always bring peace and relaxation! Diverse activities for difference stressors xx #coolmumclub
Couldn’t agree more, Hun! Thanks for commenting x
I love this post Laura – it’s something so important to us selfless Mums and so often overlooked. I just downloaded a book about mindfulness and am trying to put some of it into practice. I also got a colouring book for Christmas which I spent one blissful evening colouring in. I would add to your list running, which for me encompasses mindfulness, silence with the added benefits of freedom and endorphins released by exercise. Trying to stick with it!
Thanks for sharing this brilliant post with #coolmumclub xxx
Running is a great one! Thanks for reading and sharing x
Those are all very good ways to take care of yourself! As a person recovering from PTSD and as a counselor/advocate in the past, I have learned that self-care is so important. Music, hiking, writing, Tai Chi, and video games are some of the ways I participate in self-care. These are the things that relax me and make me happy and that’s what it comes down to – what relaxes you and makes you happy! Great Post! #coolmumclub
Thanks! I’ve tried Tai Chi a couple of times too, would like to get into it more in the future x
Great ideas. I’ve been using the Mindful app which has some free guided meditations. I’ve been colouring my kids colouring books way before adult colouring books were a thing…it’s so relaxing! I’ve always wanted to have a go at loom bands, wanted to buy some for the kids so I could nick it and have a go too but they’ve never been interested.
#coolmumclub
Colouring is lovely 🙂 Thanks for reading x
Great post, thanks for sharing your ideas. Me Time is soooo important xxx
Thanks for reading 🙂 X
Great tips. I like walking on the beach or the forest. I’m totally into Game of thrones at the moment and have been binge watching it. I have just been given a colouring book so I’m going to give that a try too but Sleep for me is key. I know if I am tired then my anxiety is worse.
I understand. Sleep is so important. Thanks for commenting x
I may need to get your risotto recipe. I’ve never made it but just the other day I searched for a recipe and found myself overwhelmed with all the different kinds!
❤️❤️❤️
I’ll send you my favourites later, babe. Sausage and rosemary, and Turkey and pesto x
It’s important to have ‘me time’. I like to have a walk and watch the world go by on my own or meditate using my crystals and meditation music. #TheList
Love meditation! Thanks for sharing x
My son is 16 months old, and I’m only just starting to realise the importance of self-care – it never even crossed my mind before. For me, my ‘go to’ is reading. I just love hunkering down with a good book that I can really disappear into!
Reading is such a great self-care method and yes, self-care is vital when you’re a mum. Only if we’re emotionally well can we be strong for our little ones. Thanks so much for reading and commenting x