Parents: Take Time for Yourself

The holidays are upon us, and things are about to go into high gear! Things may look different this year, and the stress of trying to make schedules and ideas work can lead to more than the usual holiday stress. Even before the holidays, parents have been navigating the challenges of taking care of family—both immediate and extended. Yes, it makes us happy to see the smiles and hear the laughter of others, but often we find that when it’s all over and done with, our “tanks” can be left empty and we feel exhausted. It’s important for parents to take time out to find happiness in what you love. 

Deborah Gilboa, MD, family medicine specialist in Pittsburgh, PA shares 3 great reasons parents need to take time for their own interest and pleasure in her post of sharecare.com:

1. Lower your stress—be a better parent!
   When adults take time for ourselves we relax. Blood pressure is lowered (unless “time for yourself” means smoking or eating a whole lot of junk food!), we smile more, sleep better and have a more positive outlook. All of these factors combine to help us be more positive in the rest of our lives—at work, at home, and with those we love.

2. Strengthen your family.
   Many parents avoid their own hobbies or taking time for themselves because they believe that there is no time, or their family needs them too much. Help your family value you more by valuing yourself. Your children will learn to show you respect when you show yourself that same respect, by pursuing an interest, hobby or activity that brings you pleasure. Your family members will have the opportunity to each take on one extra responsibility to free you up for a few hours a month while you do something that brings you joy. And they will find out how resilient they are when they step up and do a little more.

3. Raise your kids to be adults who take care of themselves.
   Our children will repeat our patterns. So, create a healthy pattern in your home, where adults value their own passions and make a little time for those interests. Do you want your kids to grow up and value themselves and their abilities? They will learn from you, by example!

When you take time for yourself, you're being a GREAT parent: you are teaching your children to grow up and find balance between caring for others and caring for themselves!

https://www.sharecare.com/health/parenting/why-parents-need-time-themselves