Just like adults, children benefit significantly from activities that involve deliberate and consistent self-care.
We often think of self-care as being something we do when we are stressed or upset, but actually, taking care of ourselves even when we feel great is the key to continuing to feel great.
By teaching our children to look after themselves, we are arming them with skills to be able to deal with futures stress and negative emotions in a healthy and effective way.
We suggest developing and cultivating some self-care habits together with your child; not only will it benefit them but help you to be at your best too, which is essential if you are going to be a good parent.
When participating in self-care activities with your children, you do not need to be planning anything that is too fancy, time-consuming, or expensive.
In fact, if they are any of these three, they may be causing you more stress, which is the opposite of self-care.
The important things are that they are carried out consistently and regularly, and should never feel like a chore.
We also tend to hold a belief that self-care is about lighting candles and soaking in a bubble bath, indulging in our favorite foods or some other reward or treat.
Of course, it can be that, but self-care is not about instant gratification and treating yourself.
Instead, it should be thinking about the long-term positive impact on your mental and physical health rather than anything immediately pleasurable or fleeting.
Here, we look at some self-care activities that you can do with your children to encourage long term healthy habits.
Look after your body
One of the most effective self-care activities for kids that you can do is to look after your body and your physical health.
It is also a relatively easy one to do.
Physical exercise is important, and this is something that can be a lot of fun to do with your kids.
Playing a game of football or basketball in the park or on the driveway, going for a long walk in the hills on the weekend, or even something as simple as having a dance around the kitchen to some loud music.
It can get your blood pumping and raise the endorphins – the feel-good hormones – floating around your body.
Eating well is also another thing that you can be doing.
Spend some time in the kitchen creating new and fun recipes that involve healthy ingredients – how many portions of fruit and vegetables can you get in one meal?
Can you plan and prepare a super-healthy but yummy three-course meal for the rest of the family?
It not only encourages good eating habits but teaches valuable cooking skills and is a great way of spending some quality time together.
Another, slightly less interesting but equally as important thing to do is to attend any necessary health checks.
This is the absolute epitome of self-care; looking after your body now to prevent future health issues.
Dental checkups, hearing tests, and sight tests are just a few of the things you should be doing at least once a year, if not more when required.
If a treatment or something like glasses is required, show them the importance of following it through.
Maybe they can help you to choose a pair of glasses from this great collection!
Get outside
Getting out into the great outdoors with your children not only gives you sunshine (think of all that lovely vitamin D!) and fresh air.
It also shows you how, when you might be burned out and need some self-care, changing the setting will calm you and help you regain a sense of equilibrium.
Go to the beach, take a stroll, or do some studies together in the backyard.
Take a few minutes to lie down in the grass to look up at the clouds to ask your children what they see.
Reconnecting with the outside world and nature can be wonderfully soothing and beneficial.
And, if you want to be even more daring, go camping and build a fire together, or go on a road trip to a place where you can spend time with nature.
Encounters like these are wonderful opportunities for parents and children to bond.
And studies also say that taking your children on vacation gives families positive experiences that help build long-term happiness and relationships.
Have some simple and simple fun
Sometimes we just need to be diverted from the sources of stress of everyday life, and evidence indicates that humor and fun can help lower stress levels.
Play a funny board game or a card game like Hearts, bake a cake together, solve a challenging puzzle, draw on a sidewalk with chalk, watch a funny movie, or build a couch fort and have a fight with pillows.
However, it is important that when you are doing this, you are fully there in the moment with your child and focus on what you are doing.
Put your cell phone away and think bout how you feel and the way they are having fun and lock it in your memories for when you need a little mental boost.
Having a good time and laughing together is a wonderful way to bond, and it also lets you discover what kind of things your child really loves and lets them take care of themselves later in life.
Do something good for others
Research has shown that selfless feelings and attitudes are correlated with greater well-being, wellness, and longevity.
Essentially, it feels amazing to do good, and has long-term health benefits!
And as well as that, showing your children the importance of kindness is an important lesson in life.
Try volunteering for a local charity, ask your kids to pick their old clothes to donate, or help with a homeless shelter.
Talk to your children how they feel about spending their time and effort helping others.
You should also show your children the value of appreciation.
Research also shows that gratitude is related to happiness and well-being, and you should teach your children how vital it is for us to be grateful.
Thank you for reading this post!
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