New Year’s Resolutions: Self-Care

Erica Sewell, LCSW, RPT, Certified Autism Specialist

January is the time for New Year’s Resolutions. I’m wondering how many of you put self-care on your list?

I was returning home after the holiday’s and the flight attendant once again reiterated the airline protocol that adults put their oxygen masks on first before helping their child but in a panic, most parents think of their children first.

Take away – taking time for yourself is essential for both you and your family’s well-being.

Self-care tends to be overlooked when faced with the hectic pace of work, school, therapies, extracurricular activities, doctor’s appointments, life in general, etc. Living life stressed and exhausted limits your capacity for handling parenting challenges.

Creating balance is a win-win because it increases your quality of life and assists you become a better parent.

Here are some tips to help you achieve balance:

• Give yourself permission and make a commitment to yourself to take “me time” so you can exercise, enjoy a hobby, meditate, stay connected spiritually, journal or do something that allows you to regroup and reenergize.
• Put “me time” on your calendar and treat it like you would any other appointment.
• Maximize your time when you child is at an appointment (go for a walk, mediate, journal, do something artsy, etc.)
• Build a support network or join a support group. There are a lot of options for both in-person and online support.
• Have open lines of communication with your spouse, family and friends and spend quality time with them.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
• Prioritize what is most important and don’t sweat the small stuff.

 

Erica Sewell is the Founder of Full Circle Counseling and Family Services, PLLC in Dallas, TX.   Read more about Erica at www.fccafs.com. Erica can be reached at 214-592-7176 or erica@fccafs.com.