Self-Care is non-negotiable.
Bringing self-care into your daily life is one of the best gifts you can give yourself AND your children. When you do this, you are telling yourself that you matter and are worthy of care. In this day and age, we cannot go without consistent self-care to sustain us, especially as parents!! Here are 5 benefits to practicing the art of self-care that every parent should know.
How relatable is this?? Hot Tip: self care is NOT going to the toilet by yourself… think bigger!
So without further ado, here are 5 benefits to practicing the art of self-care.
- Improved mental health.
Self-care can help in lowering your cortisol levels and anxiety levels. I’m a mum of 4, well technically a mum of 3 (2 earthside and 1 in heaven) and step mum of 2. We are a neurodivergent bunch with 2 cats and a dog and I have 2 jobs: this one and another job at a school. The opportunities for overstimulation and getting touched out daily are endless in my life! However, I do find that when I practice self-care consistently throughout the week, then I am less likely to go through burnout, shut down, or have cranky mum and evil stepmum vibes.
- Increased positive thinking
This isn’t wishy washy. Positive thinking is a game changer when it comes to parenting ! Thinking positive keeps you from catastrophic thinking or believing ‘all or nothing’ statements. Positive thinking helps you focus on gratitude and that alone will increase your mood, self-worth and hope for the future.
- Better relationships
Another great benefit to practising self care is how it improves our relationships with our better half and our children. We want to show up in our life as our best selves. We want to be the best mum we can be and/or the best wife we can be to our hubby’s, so how can we show up as our best selves for the people in our life if our cup is empty? Filling up our cups means we can be present for our family. We listen better, and ,communicate more effectively and bonds become stronger as we become better at looking after our mind body and spirit. We are no longer able to respond instead of REACT to the people and home life around us.
- Improves productivity
When we consistently practice self-care, it helps us work out where our energy needs to go and where we can let go. Self-care forces us to slow down and reflect on what’s important and what’s not. One thing I’ve noticed about myself, is when my anxiety is high then I don’t get the important things done. I go into avoidance and fill my mind with distractions and other tasks that don’t serve a purpose. When self-care kicks in to aid me, I become a lot more productive!
- Improves self-esteem
Getting a massage or nails done can be a game changer for mums. Motherhood isn’t a luxurious job. At any given time, my jumper spit up, food stain or some kind of fluid on it that’s not mine. Lack of sleep and stained mum sweats isn’t my idea of feeling empowered and sexy but when I take the time to fill up my cup aka self-care, i just feel so much better and i hold myself better too!
There you have it. The benefits of practicing the art of self care really can’t be ignored when you look at the impact it has on your mind, body, and spirit.
So if you don’t do any self-care and you are just running the rat race, I highly recommend you to please start filling up your cup. I promise you, when you create the time for self care, you will reap the rewards and it will be REFRESHING & TRANSFORMATIVE.
You deserve the art of self-care. If you can’t see that now, then maybe look at it this way; you can’t pour from an empty cup.
So how about we fill that cup up?
To help you with your practice, I have created a Self Care PDF Bundle for you and the family! We have art activities, affirmation cards, emotional charts and more to help you stay positive, empowered, and connected.
Looking for some more creative guidance? Have a look at our Fill Up Your Cup With Art page where we have creative social groups and 1 on 1 creative coaching.
In love & light
Amy xx
