In the past few months, the world has been shaken up by the COVID19 pandemic. For many parents, this has meant having to juggle working from home and taking care of the children. Having just celebrated Mother’s Day and with Father’s Day right around the corner, we thought we would put together a self-care checklist for all parents out there. 

We recognise that it may be difficult to carve out “me-time”, especially with the whole family at home together during this period of social distancing, so we made sure that these self-care tips would not take up more than 15 minutes of your time. 

10 #SAFEATHOME SELF-CARE TIPS

1. Get an Early Night

A good night’s rest not only improves your mood and increases your productivity during the day, it also reduces the risk of chronic illnesses. If sleeping early is not yet part of your routine, we encourage you to start small by going to bed just 15 minutes before your usual bedtime and slowly making that shift towards an earlier night. It may also help to practice good pre-bedtime routines such as switching off electronic devices at least half an hour before your intended bedtime and keeping the room cool and dim so you are mentally prepared to go to bed. 

2. Stay Hydrated

Staying well hydrated helps prevent headaches and muscle aches, promotes proper kidney function, healthy gastrointestinal tract, glowing skin, and alleviates mood! 

Stay hydrated by ensuring that you drink the recommended 6 to 8 glasses of water a day; be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables with high water content too. 

3. Break a Sweat

Exercise releases endorphins which are associated with feelings of happiness. There are countless apps to suit every home workout need- yoga, HIIT, dance- you name it, they’ve got it. Many gyms, personal trainers, and YouTube influencers have also taken to social media during this time to share their home workout routines which you can easily follow along to. Better yet, this is an activity where you can get the whole family to join in! 

4. Dive into a Good Book

Here is the perfect activity to end your day with. Reading relaxes the mind, is associated with reduced stress, and even helps prevent age-related cognitive decline such as Alzheimer’s disease. Dedicate even just 15 minutes a day to get lost in a good book and stay away from reading anything that may stress you out during this time.  

5. Stay Connected

With video calling technology at our fingertips, staying connected has never been easier! Catching up with family and friends is an important part of self-care as it helps in improving our mental and emotional health, whilst simultaneously improving theirs too.

6. Do Something You Enjoy

When was the last time you did something that you loved? It gets too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life that we can forget to do something that actually brings us joy. So whatever it is that makes you happy, whether that be watching the latest Korean drama, getting creative with some arts and crafts, trying out new recipes, or listening to some good music while decluttering the house, be sure to include it into your daily routine.  

7. Pamper Yourself

This tip is especially for all the moms out there- though dads can definitely do this too- treat yourself. Take your time in the shower for once, treat yourself to a mini facial, or even a quick at-home spa; your skin will thank you for it! Indulge in that sweet snack you have been craving without feeling guilty. This is your well-deserved time to unwind! 

8. Practice Gratitude

Take some time each morning to make a list of 5 things you are thankful for and keep it somewhere you can easily access, like your phone. On days when you’re feeling down, take a look at that list and be reminded of all the things you can be thankful for.

9. Keep a Journal 

If journaling is something new to you, you can start by looking up bullet journaling templates to fit your journaling needs. People keep journals for different purposes- some write in their journal to declutter their mind, others keep journals to plan out their weekly schedules, or to keep track of certain habits they would like to cultivate. Journaling is a good way of reminding yourself of your priorities and the things that you want to achieve.

10. Delegate, Defer, Delete (Super Mom Hacks)

Keep these 3 Ds in mind the next time you start making your to-do list. 

• Delegate: Delegating some things to your spouse or some age appropriate chores to your children can take a huge burden off your shoulders. 
• Defer: The question to ask yourself is “does this need to be done now?” If not, schedule it to be done at a later time. 
• Delete: If there are things on your to-do lists that you have been putting off, ask yourself why these commitments still exist. It may be better to gracefully bow out of these commitments than taking on more than you can handle.

There you have it! 10 self-care tips that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. We have made them into a checklist that you can download for free! Ultimately, self-care is any action or activity that helps boost your physical, emotional, and mental health. So, feel free to get creative in your self-care routines to see what works best for you. We hope that these tips help to keep you going during this time of staying safe at home with your family!

REFERENCES

1. Eclectically Ema – Self Care: 20 Free and Frugal Ways To Practice It
2. FamLee of Four – 14 Realistic Self-Care Ideas For Moms With No Time
3. Super Mom Hacks – The Ultimate Self-Care Checklist For Overwhelmed Moms