Guest Blog Post - Jo Love

Parental Self Care in the COVID-19 outbreak

As a busy parent, self-care often slips to the bottom of most of our to-do lists. But taking care of yourself really isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. And during this challenging time, when children are home and stress is running high, it’s more important than ever. 

Here are my five tips to help relax while parenting in COVID-19:

Me Time: As parents, alone time wasn’t something we had in abundance prior to the lockdown, however the little snatches of time we did have for example, on our commutes, shopping or at home have all but disappeared. Therefore, we now need to be really intentional about creating space to recharge and decompress. This could look like taking a shower or bath, or specifically blocking out time to read, listen to a podcast or simply zone out after the kids have gone to bed.

Nail the Basics: It might not sound like self care but making sure we are eating properly, trying to get enough sleep (but not too much!), drinking enough water and creating a routine that includes physical activity, will really help us in the long term. This doesn’t mean we need to pile on extra pressure to get super fit or feeling guilty if we keep reaching for the Ben and Jerry’s. But it does mean trying to be a little more thoughtful and intentional about how we are treating our bodies and ourselves. 

Lower Your Expectations: Perfectionism and the coronavirus don’t mix. It’s time to be exceedingly realistic, both at work and as a parent. Avoid burnout by setting realistic expectations and giving yourself grace if you can’t meet them. Practice forgiveness and self-compassion. These are unprecedented times and there’s no playbook for this. Remember you’re doing your best during a very difficult time. Cut yourself some slack.

Set Boundaries: Anxiety is sky high for many people right now. With so much worry and uncertainty floating around it can be easy to absorb other people’s fears and concerns without even realising it. If you have a friend or family member who’s in the habit of sending worst-case-scenario news or is prone to sending anxiety-provoking text messages, practice a little emotional distancing. Let them know you sympathise but that you’re taking a break from worrying news, or simply hit the Do Not Disturb or Mute button. You can always reconnect when things are calmer.

Find Joy: Now is the perfect time to get back in touch with hobbies or activities you enjoy but rarely have time for, or make the choice to learn a new skill. However, if you have young children most solo activities are likely to be a little unrealistic, so instead seek out activities you can enjoy together, like baking bread, or making art.

Last but not least, remember, being kind to yourself will not only help you stay calm during this difficult time, it will help ensure that you have the bandwidth you need to take good care of your family. When you’re running on fumes, caring for others can tax your already depleted resources to breaking point. But when you prioritise your needs, you’re filling the tank, emotionally and physically, and that means you’ll be in a position to offer comfort and care to others when they need it most.

Jo is a mum of one and an award winning mental health advocate, writer and speaker. She uses her platform to break the silence on mental health issues with two thriving Instagram accounts, @Jo__love__ and @therapyismagic. Jo is known for her mental health work including being a Founding Member of the Speakers Collective, and mental health Ambassador for a number of high profile brands

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