Ways we can nurture ourselves

Parenting can be one of the most demanding jobs there is: it is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no salary, no pension and if we do it really well… redundancy when they leave home!

That’s why it’s so important to think about our own well-being. When we are running a busy household and, or, going out to work, it can be hard to find a moment for ourselves. It’s all too easy to put our needs at the end of the never ending list.

As it is World Mental Health Day on Friday 10th October, we think it’s important to remind you of some ways in which you can look after and nurture yourself to ensure you can cope with what life throws at you.

Even just ten minutes of nurture time can reset you and help you deal with some of the stresses that life can bring. Why not try one of these today?

• Buy yourself a bunch of fresh flowers and display them where you’ll see them often. Allow yourself to stop and admire them.
• Have a massage with a qualified massage therapist.
• Sit in the warm sunshine and read a good book or magazine.
• Make yourself a cooked breakfast for a change, and sit somewhere nice to enjoy it.
• Go for a walk through a lovely park, and then sit for a while and watch the world go by.
• Visit a museum or art gallery, and browse leisurely.
• Go and see a good movie or live show; going alone can also be restful.
• Sit at the beach and eat one of your favourite snacks.
• Wake up early and watch the sun rise or the sun set from a good vantage point.
• Do a jigsaw or puzzle book.
• Go for a drive somewhere scenic.
• Take a warm bath with some oils or bubble bath.
• Have a facial, manicure or pedicure.
• Have your haircut.
• Get your favourite take-out for dinner and eat it while watching a funny movie .
• Buy something special for yourself that doesn’t cost more than you can afford.
• Cook yourself your favourite meal, set the table nicely and eat by candlelight.
• Go to a playground and swing on the swings.
• Go hiking in nature.
• Have a picnic.
• Play some dance music and dance around (by yourself or with your children).
• Sing!
• Go for a swim and then hop in a spa bath.
• Buy a nice hand and body lotion.
• Make a list of your special achievements, no matter how small they may seem.
• Read some positive and funny quotes.
• Write a list of things you’d like to do one day, even if they seem absurd or unattainable.
• Go to the gym.
• Go for coffee and cake at your favourite café.
• Go window shopping and browse for as long as you like.
• Buy a colouring book and some pencils and do some colouring in.
• Buy a plant and plant it in the garden or in a lovely pot.
• Put some of your favourite photographs into lovely frames and put them on display.
• Bounce on a trampoline.
• Start eating more healthily and practice some regular exercise.
• Join a craft or hobby group.
• Read an inspirational book or listen to an inspirational CD.
• Lie comfortably on the ground outside and watch the clouds go by – see how many animals, people or objects you can spot.
• Do a 5 or 10-minute relaxation.
• Play with an animal – and if you don’t own a pet, borrow a friend’s.
• Have a snooze (sleep).

Try any of these, when time and money allow and see how you feel afterwards.

Relaxation

Try this Relaxation to zone out when you have some time alone:

Sit comfortably. Start with a few slow, easy breaths and begin to focus on the breath… and relax.. now let your mind create these sensations:

• Imagine the colours of the sky in a beautiful sunset
• Imagine the sound of the water flowing in a stream
• Imagine the smell of a bonfire on a crisp autumnal day
• Imagine the feel of smooth, clean sheets
• Imagine the sound of rain on the roof
• Imagine the smell of a field of grass in the hot summer sun
• Imagine the stars and the moon in the dark sky on a clear night
• Imagine the taste of a favourite food
• Imagine the sound of a beautiful song
• Imagine the wind blowing in your face
• Imagine floating on at the still water of a peaceful, shallow lake

Notice the feeling of calm and peace and take time to enjoy it. When you are ready, remember where you are and come back to the present.

The joy of doing absolutely nothing

Another thing you can do is to just sit and do absolutely nothing for ten minutes (without thinking of all the things you think you should be doing). Clear your mind of all the distractions.

It’s important when you do any activity or relaxation that you allow yourself this time (and money if need be) without feeling guilty. If you’re not used to nurturing yourself, then you may find this difficult at first.

But if you nurture yourself regularly then it will begin to feel more natural and, if we feel refreshed, we are better able to cope with the every day stresses that life can bring.

Happy Nurturing!

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Do you need someone to talk to?

If you would like to talk to someone, please get in touch. Either speak to someone you already trust at our schools, or call/ email Kay Stone: 07880 730672/ kay.stone@reachacademy.org.uk or Michelle Coyte: michelle.coyte@reachacademy.org.uk. Please don’t hesitate to speak to someone if you need help.