Self-care has been preached from the mountaintops for years, but how do we as parents actually make time for it between meetings, school drop-offs and pick-ups, soccer practices, and everything else on our never-ending to-do lists?
The truth is, self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It can take many forms, and the most meaningful practices often show up in small, consistent ways throughout your day. Self-care generally falls into a few key categories: physical, emotional, social, professional and spiritual.
Physical self-care
Caring for your body supports both your physical and mental well-being. This might include:
Going for a run or attending a workout class
Eating balanced, nourishing meals
Limiting or avoiding alcohol or other substances
Prioritizing rest and sleep when possible
Emotional self-care
Emotional self-care helps you process and express your feelings in healthy ways. Consider:
Spending time with friends and family to reduce isolation
Journaling your thoughts and emotions
Listening to music to relax, uplift your mood or release emotion
Practicing mindfulness or simply taking a few quiet moments to reset
Social self-care
Humans are wired for connection, and nurturing relationships is essential. Social self-care can look like:
Spending time with people you genuinely enjoy
Participating in support groups, clubs or community organizations
Scheduling intentional time with your partner or close friends
Saying “no” to commitments that feel draining or overwhelming
Professional self-care
Work is a major part of life and protecting your energy in this space matters. Examples include:
Setting clear work hours to maintain work-life balance
Exploring support options like employee assistance programs (EAPs)
Creating realistic goals and celebrating your accomplishments
Taking breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout
Spiritual self-care
Spiritual self-care helps you connect to meaning, purpose and something larger than yourself. This may include:
Practicing meditation or prayer
Engaging in creative activities such as painting, music or writing
Spending time in nature
Performing acts of kindness or service, individually or as a family
Some of these practices may take just five minutes, while others might require a full afternoon or day. As parents, taking time for ourselves can sometimes feel self-indulgent, but it’s essential. When you care for yourself, you are better able to care for your family.
This week, try to do one thing that fills your cup or brings you joy. It doesn’t have to require childcare or using PTO, but if it does, that’s okay too. Take a night out with friends, go for a solo walk or carve out time to read a book while your partner takes over with the kids. When possible, trade off with your partner so each of you has time to recharge and support your mental health.
Self-care is not selfish—it is necessary. Prioritizing your well-being is one of the most meaningful investments you can make for yourself and your family, especially when you are caring for littles with big emotions, mental health crises or other developmental factors.
If you’re needing a little extra help with parenting challenges, check out Behavior Checker, a free tool that offers practical, evidence-based advice for navigating parenting issues. Parenting is health care, and you deserve to be seen.