Self Care For Busy Parents and Providers! 5 One-Minute Techniques

Based on what works for us, we put together a list of one-minute self-care techniques for busy parents and providers.

 #1 Afternoon tea. Or morning tea, evening tea. Just do this. Make yourself a cup of healthy tea such as an herbal tea with coconut milk or coconut oil and stevia. Now sit and drink it by yourself. For more information on my new understanding of tea time click here.

If anyone says anything at all to you simply say, not now, I'm having my tea in a calm and steady voice. Some people use a special cup or a placemat as a visual signal. Soon you'll teach them how to treat you when it comes to tea time. If they don't respect your words at all, read this article I wrote about gaining respect with 3 little words.

If they still won't leave you alone, escape to the bathroom with your cup and once you get there, just sit, breathe and enjoy your beverage. You deserve this and you know it.

#2  We realize that getting to the bathroom is not always possible so here's another idea that might help. I'm going to share with you today my personal mantra that has kept me sane and mostly calm for the last 10 years. Here it is, feel free to change it to suit your own needs.

My only goal is inner peace....

        The only moment is now......

                 My only functions are forgiveness and appreciation, starting with myself.

#3

Music is a huge stress reliever for me and I bet it is for you, too. I'm giving you total permission to choose your favorite song for a change. And turn it up. Then dance.......... Like no one's watching................. Even though they may be!

Move your body freely any way that feels good to you. Get your heart rate up and don't stop until the song's over, even if it's more than a minute You deserve some fun, too!

#4

Get a leg up. This yoga pose feels good immediately. Just scoot your bottom up as close as you can to the wall and raise your legs. Use a pillow under your sacrum if it's more comfortable. Relax for one minute and enjoy your breath as you heart slows down, your body relaxes and lower back tension is relieved.

#5

Let one rip!!  A song that is. It turns out that singing improves mental alertness by increasing circulation and bringing more oxygen to your brain. It can also release endorphins, feel good brain chemicals that naturally boost your mood. So why not? All of these benefits work regardless of the quality of your singing voice!

I hope you don't just read these techniques but you do them and do them often. Or design your own.

It's so easy to just say to yourself, "I know that already.". But it's hard to take the time to actually do them. Convince yourself that you deserve this because you do. And so does your family. They'll respect you for it, believe me.

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY! She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human dev from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI and is the founder of early childhood rocks, a non-profit org dedicated to creating change through early childhood education.