You can’t pour from an empty cup. We all know this phrase far too well. And it’s no secret moms frequently have empty cups. Somehow we make it work, anyway, but I think we all know we should prioritize ourselves sometimes. This pandemic is no different. Parents have been under a tremendous amount of stress the last five-ish months: trying to work remotely with children underfoot, making incredibly difficult decisions when it comes to childcare and in person vs. remote learning, turning their households upside down to accommodate remote learning, helping kids adjust to social distancing, and so much more. But we need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves, too.
Schedule those appointments. Pandemic or not, your basic health appointments are still so important. Take some time and schedule your physical, your annual ob/gyn appointment, a skin check with your dermatologist, and your dental cleaning and check-up. Preventative care is much easier (and cheaper) than emergency care.
Be an advocate for your own health. Insist on what you need, get second opinions, and seek out doctors who are a good fit. This takes time, but it is absolutely worth it when you get proper health care.
Delegate tasks as much as possible, and lean on your support system. Whether it’s your spouse, babysitter, or other family members, ask for help when you need it. Delegating work to others is a fast way to take stress and a to do list off your plate.
Take care of your basic health. Get sleep (as much as possible, anyway), eat all three meals each day, drink plenty of water, and move your body. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you prioritize these.
Take a break. I know, easier said than done, but after you delegate tasks, and prioritize, you may find yourself with a little bit of “you time”. Take some time each day and do something that will actually make you feel refreshed, whether that’s reading a book, investing time into a new hobby, or watching Real Housewives. The cleaning can wait, after all — we’re in a pandemic!
