FIRST WORD
13 Ways to
Practise Self Care
Photo by Daria Keenan Photography
The parenting juggle is hard enough but throw in a global pandemic and stress levels are bound to sky rocket. You may have found yourself wearing many hats in 2020: teacher, nanny, cleaner, cook, entertainer, whilst still juggling a full time job! It’s no wonder that self-care has slipped to the bottom of the to-do list leaving you feeling tired, deflated and plain old worn out.
Now that lockdown has eased we need to prioritise time for ourselves to recharge and re-set, both physically and mentally. Whilst it is often hard to put ourselves first, research has shown that self-care helps reduce stress, increase productivity and inspire feelings of happiness. So why not fill your cup from some of the suggestions in this article; self care doesn’t have to be extravagant or pricey but it does have to be all about YOU! TOP TIP: If child-free time is an issue consider reciprocal childcare: you watch a friend’s children for a couple of hours and they return the favour!
1. Take a Break from Social Media
Social media is wonderful in many ways but the desire to constantly stay connected can also have a negative effect
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Cayman Parent Magazine | First Word
on mental health – so why not schedule a break? Step away from the scrolling and step into the moment by committing to switching off from Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for a whole day once a week.
2. Go for a Run or Walk
Getting outside and taking in the natural surroundings leads to significant health benefits; luckily we live on a beautiful island with a climate that allows us to get outside, exercise, and appreciate nature everyday. Take a walk, run or cycle around your neighbourhood or even better head to the beach for a walk or a swim and really get those endorphins flowing! NHS UK states that a brisk daily walk for as little as 10 minutes has lots of health benefits including boosting your wellbeing and mood, helping to reduce stress and lowering anxiety. Gradually work up to 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week and reap the benefits of all that Vitamin D – just don’t forget to apply sunscreen. See our article on sun safety on page 218.
