International Self-Care Day, observed annually on July 24, is a powerful reminder that caring for ourselves is a necessity. If you are parenting a child with a disability, you probably already know how important self-care is. Although finding time for yourself is never easy, it’s vital to your health and emotional needs. These tips can help even the busiest parents build in some time for self-care!
Make Time for Connection
Schedule a regular date night to foster connection with your spouse, significant other, or friend. It's great to plan something outside of the house so that you can get away from your daily environment. But that may not be realistic for every family. The good news? Even a night in or a phone call can have great benefits for you and your relationships.
Consider Counseling
Consider seeing a therapist or counselor for support, especially if you're struggling with your own emotional or mental health. And even if you're not struggling, counseling can be a great way to maintain your mental hygiene. Therapy is useful to everyone and may be more accessible to you than you think. Consult your insurance provider to determine the exact mental health benefits that are available to you.
Create Healthy Habits
Small changes to your daily routine can make a big impact! A little goes a long way when building healthy habits. For example, find time for a 15-minute walk or add one more serving of vegetables to your diet each day. Exercise and nutrient-dense meals are the building blocks of self-care.
Do Something You Love
Make an appointment with yourself to do something enjoyable each day. Whether you take a walk, meditate, or read a book, schedule your self-care time as you would schedule a work meeting or medical appointment. Make it a priority to avoid burnout so that you can continue providing the best care for your child.
At Aveanna, we recognize the importance of self-care and do all we can to empower our patients' parents to fill their own cups so they can continue to pour into their children. If you are interested in joining the Aveanna community, learn more about our services in your area today.