As parents of children with special needs, we often put our own wants and needs on the back burner, amidst all that must be done for our children and family in our hectic days and weeks. Over time, that's a recipe for stress overload.
This week, I want to encourage you to pinpoint ONE thing you'd like to do for YOURSELF.
Not sure where to begin? Ask yourself these questions:
Am I getting enough sleep?
Am I eating well and staying hydrated?
Am I getting enough exercise?
Do I have a creative outlet, or an intellectual activity that I enjoy?
And here's the key - no matter what you decide to do for YOU, make sure it's fun! It's essential to enjoy your new activity, and have this part of your day or week be a time when you can give yourself permission to truly let go of any worries or stress that you're carrying around with you. Give yourself the gift of these moments of joy.
Even if you're starting off with something simple like getting more sleep, make your earlier bedtime something you look forward to, perhaps by reading for a few minutes before turning off the light, listening to a book on tape, having a lavender-scented pillow nearby, etc.
Is your goal to remember to sip water throughout the day? Splurge on a nice-looking, high quality water bottle that's just for you, in a shape, style, and color you love.
Eating more nutritious foods can be a treat when you take a few extra minutes to prepare a healthy, delicious meal or snack that's appetizingly arranged on a nice dish … perhaps a little slice of lemon with your glass of water, etc.
Make sure your exercise doesn't feel like drudgery - the best way to stick to a new routine is to make it fun! What types of exercise do you enjoy?
Ditto for any creative or intellectual endeavor. If the book you picked up at the library is getting boring, set it aside and pick up something you can't wait to read a little bit of each day. If you're starting to dread having to do another row of that knitting project you started, put it out of sight for a while and choose something more fun. These should be things you WANT to do - NOT things that end up being another "should do" or "must do."
What are you doing for YOU, starting now?
Joan Celebi originally founded SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com in her capacity as a certified life coach for parents of children with special needs. Her goal is to give you the practical strategies you need for successfully navigating life as a parent of a child with special needs and helps you create a manageable, balanced, and joyful life, for both you and your family. Visit Joan at http://www.specialneedsparentcoach.com.
