Being a parent does bring along a few challenges that can constantly keep you on your toes. It can be stressful and tiring but you should know that it doesn't always have to be this way. The best thing you can do for yourself as a parent is learning ways to relieve stress.
It is important to know how you can manage stress so that you can avoid feeling burnt out. De-stressing can not only improve your mood but also help in maintaining your overall health.
In an article on Psychology Today, Dr Breanna Gentile shared five ways for parents to de-stress without having to neglect their children or other responsibilities.
5 Best Ways to Relieve Stress as a Parent
1. Spend some time with your friends
We know it must be hard to keep in touch with other people when you're always so busy. But it's good to have some social interaction with someone who aren't your spouse or kids.
Find time to reach out to your friends and spend at least a couple of hours catching up with them. You can make this a regular arrangement like meeting up once a week.
If your friends have children of their own, then you can also arrange playdates with them. This way you can still look after your child while also getting to talk to a close friend.
2. Meditate when you can
Meditation actually has many benefits and is one of the best ways to relieve stress as a parent. Try to free up some time every day for you to meditate. Even just five or 10 minutes are enough for you to de-stress through meditating.
There are also plenty of apps, YouTube videos and articles that can help you get started on meditation. Just remember that once you start, it is important that you remain loyal to a regular meditation practice to really help you de-stress.
3. Manage your savings account
Since financial insecurity is one of the things people worry about the most, it's better that you build up your savings. By saving up money, you can feel more financially secure and won't have to stress over it.
Managing your savings account can also secure you in case any financial emergencies arise which would also save you the stress that could bring.
4. Set an exercise routine
Another one of the best ways to relieve stress is exercising. This doesn't mean you have to do all the heavy lifting right away. It's good to set an exercise routine at your own pace. But when do you find the time to work out?
If you're really time-strapped for the day, you can leave at least 2o to 30 minutes to exercise. Or whenever you do feel stressed, you can take a short break and take the chance to exercise.
5. Seek help from other fellow parents
Who better to understand your situation than another parent? If you've been needing some practical advice and emotional support, feel free to reach out to other parents. Whether they have been long-time friends of yours or just someone you occasionally talk to on the phone, it's good to interact with fellow parents.
You can also look around for parenting groups to join like on Facebook, reddit or theAsianparent community. In these groups, you can also get some advice and support from other parents.
You're not alone in this, mum and dad.
Source: Psychology Today
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