3 Tips to Prioritize Mental Health and Wellness as a Family
The end of Summer is here, and with the start of a new season, it is an excellent time to reevaluate your overall wellness routine for yourself and your family. Season changes can be an easy reminder to slow down, check how things are going, and make changes if needed. We all live busy lives, and it is easy to get pulled into doing everything without taking a moment to slow down and check in with yourself.
Here are three quick tips you can practice on your own and with your family to check in on your mental health and wellness and make it a priority in your family. Because honestly, we all need the reminder to make it a priority; we are all guilty of pushing it to the back burner and not paying attention until we are burnt out or close to it. Taking the time to read this is already a step in the right direction. Go you!
1. Protect your space
You may have read that and thought, my baby can’t take time for themselves. They don’t know how. But if you look closely, they easily take that time for themselves. They don’t even need words to get it. They make time for themselves when they ask to be carried or when they are slamming their favorite toy into your pile of folded clothes. The thing to remember is that taking time for you and your family is going to look different for everyone. And that can be the fun, creative part. Are your kids at the stage where they love to go to the park? And can you pop in an earbud while listening to a book or entertaining podcast while they enjoy themselves? Do you have a passion for painting or hiking that you can incorporate the family into? Now, not all things need to be done as a family, and honestly, they shouldn’t but let’s be honest, sometimes it will be easier to do something for yourself when you don’t need to coordinate childcare, so invite your family along. If you ask yourself, “how would you like to make time for yourself,” then make a commitment to follow through on doing it individually or as a family; it will slowly become a part of your family routine. And that’s the goal.
“Prioritizing your family’s mental health and wellness does not need to be an elaborate plan.”
2. Check in with yourself (make it a habit to do this often!)
Gratitude practiced consistently can positively impact your mental health. Now, I’m not saying to only look at life from a positive lens because that is not real life. It has its ups and downs. But getting into the practice of looking at that one small thing that is your favorite part of the day can be an opportunity to check in daily with yourself and, by extension, the family. The answer to this question doesn’t need to be elaborate. It really can be something as simple as the food that was eaten or that of a certain friend attending an event with your child. You’ll probably laugh at what your child finds gratitude in and hopefully serve as a reminder that there can be good in each day, even if it’s a pinch.
3. Know what makes you happy
As humans, we need to feel like we belong! We are hardwired for community. In the busyness of life, sometimes we unintentionally check out who we truly like spending time with and who fills our cups. It is not uncommon for feelings of obligation to come up in directing what events we attend and who we spend time with. Ask each family member who they like spending time with and schedule it, if possible, in person or virtually. Sometimes we underestimate the power of spending time with the people who light us up and how truly it does wonders for our mental health. Make time for your people!
That’s it! Write these questions down on a post-it and put it on your fridge for a constant reminder. Commit to sit down with your family, discuss these three tips, and see what comes up. The beautiful thing about mental health wellness is that it will look different for everyone and probably change as people change and so be graceful with yourself as you figure out what works for you and your family. Cheering for you, mama!
