By: Danielle Wimer, LSW – DDA Manager

Taking care of ourselves often seems like the most difficult thing in the world. Especially, as we navigate these hard times we are living. As a parent, self-care often takes a back burner to the other priorities we have lined out for our day. Making sure our children’s needs are met, going to work, taking care of our families and running a household often take priority; however, if we do not take the time to care for ourselves our ability to care for others starts to decrease.

The biggest misconception about self-care is that it needs to be an extravagant process, when there are small steps, we can take every day to make sure we our focusing on our own care. Here are three simple self-care tips to begin your own personal self-care journey.

1. Focus on your health. Staying hydrated, sticking to a sleep schedule (to the best of your ability), making sure you eat regularly and completing simple exercise routines (taking a walk, playing outside with your kiddos, etc.) can ensure that your basic everyday needs are being met.
2. Do one small activity just for you. Even taking five minutes to take a breather and re-set can be helpful. Create a small self-care tool box with small activities such as reading an article, watching a television show, meditating, playing a game or working on a craft project that can assist in being able to find something to do easily, when those break opportunities arise.
3. Reach out. Get in contact with your support network. A text or short phone call can often be a reminder that you are not alone and there are people out there who support you. Having others who understand what you are experiencing and are willing to listen is often essential to being able to care for yourself.

Remember this is a journey and not everyday will be perfect. Any effort you make in caring for yourself deserves celebration, try to focus on the steps being made and provide lots of room for grace as you navigate this process.