An Emotional Reset After Long Days of Parenting
This is a contributed post.
An emotional reset is needed when you feel stress increasing and a sense of doom becomes harder to ignore. This can be very powerful for coping with the daily challenges of being a parent. From a sensory break to taking care of the basics, here are some suggestions.
Mindfulness and Breathing
When times get a bit hard at the end of the day, STOP. Stop, Take a Breath, Observe, and Proceed. Just a quick personal check and a 10-minute break can be a lifesaver when the day has thrown everything at you. Services like the Munay Live spiritual wellness platform recommend practices such as breathwork and meditation. If you are feeling stressed, it can be surprising how helpful a quick breath exercise can be for refocusing your direction and energy.
A Sensory Break
Using the five main senses can help you step away from daily anxiety and stress. For example, just stepping outside into the garden can provide a sensory stimulation that can motivate you to get back to your best self. Listen to the wind through the trees, take a breath of fresh air, and enjoy the rainbow of colors across nature. These can remind you that things aren't so bad and get you back on track, and it usually only takes a few minutes to calm and relax your mind.
Emotional Reset through Rest
Feeling tired as a parent is common, and around 62% of parents are drained more often than not. This is even higher at 92% for working parents. There are many science-backed ways to recharge your mind and body, and rest is among them. But rest doesn't just mean sitting on the couch to watch Netflix. It also means saying no to harmful practices such as drinking, getting the sleep you need, and even moving gently to promote muscle and joint repair for an aching body.
Take Care of the Basics
Things can get ahead of you as a busy parent, and self-neglect isn't uncommon. But you can't take the best care of your family when you don't focus on yourself. This isn't selfish; it is a very caring act that extends to everyone else. Basic self-care through hygiene, eating well, and taking alone time keeps your body, mind, and spirit aligned so you can be your best self on a daily basis. Think HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) and take a break if you feel these.
Let Go of Guilt and Anger
When you work hard to provide for your family, you can get burned out and feel stressed. However, many parents push through even when things get harder because they feel guilty about taking time for themselves. When you do this, it opens the doors to resentment and anger, neither of which does any good. Rewarding yourself after hard work and family care isn't selfish, and you should never feel guilty for taking some time for yourself as a busy parent.
Summary
Mindfulness and breathing methods can help you with an emotional reset as a busy parent who needs a break. You may also need rest with quality sleep and gentle movements. You also need to let go of the guilt of taking care of yourself after working so hard to provide for your family.
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