Prioritize your mental wellbeing while raising teenagers with these self-care tips!

HEALTHY SELF-CARE TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE TEENAGE YEARS … BE THE EXAMPLE

Think about the value of self-care. If you don’t consider self-care to be one of your values…here is why you may want to rethink that.  

First and foremost…Do not feel guilty about putting yourself first once in a while…make yourself a priority AND be the example for your children/teens.

Self-care is when you proactively take the time and take the steps to keep in your mind, body and soul in a relaxed, stress-free state. I have come to understand very clearly now that we have to take the time to care for ourselves because if we don’t, there is no way we can take care of those we love around us… well without some good regret as time passes on anyway.

My kiddos are now 17, 15, 14 and 13. I blinked and here we are with a home full of teenagers. Looking back I absolutely have regret on how some days and weeks passed by in our home. Mornings, afternoons, and evening just passed by so quickly. I often felt like I was constantly on auto pilot. I was a busy mama four kids  in six years. I wish I knew then what I know now about the importance of taking care of myself first. However, even though I have the tools to take care of myself first and I know about the importance of self-care…I still finding it difficult to take the time for myself. It’s life. The key is to be aware of when it is you just need to be present and make that time for yourself.

When my babies were younger, it was physically challenging and exhausting. I never got enough sleep. If I wasn’t changing diapers, I was breast-feeding, carrying a baby on my hip or pushing a toddler in a stroller during that decade of my life as a stay at home mama for small kiddos the height of my self-care meant to five minute shower alone, let alone try to find a sitter for a date night. As my kids grew older, yes they got easier to schedule a date night a yoga class a bubble bath or even a weekend away. And yes, this is absolutely amazing. However, I realize now more than ever the demands on myself and on my heart and soul I still here, but just in a much different way.

As a mom of teenagers, the stress looks differently, it’s picking up and dropping them all off to their different social commitments, driving them to the first part-time job, waiting until they are all home together again before I can relax for the evening.  I can’t believe it, before we know it, they may all be away at a college dorm somewhere in 2, 4, 6 years from now.

I’ve been worrying a lot more and anxious from day-to-day and I have been very intentional and practicing my rituals and healthy habits when I can my number one being prayer healthy, eating and moving my body now that I am the mom of four teenagers three of them being girls I realize it is time to think differently about my self-care. I want to truly be the living example to my kids.

For all of you mammas out there who can relate.  It’s time you throw some of that love our own way too!

4 Self-Care Tips

1. ✨ Reconnect to what self care habits make you feel your best and try to incorporate one of those ideas into your daily routine regularly. For me, this means a nice walk   playing with my puppy decluttering a space in my home lighting a candle while reading a good fiction book, cooking a nourishing meal or a yummy     chocolate dessert 😋, a short yoga stretch, or an intense yoga flow. Make a list of a few self care rituals for you and be consistent!
2. ✨ Mindfulness really does help! No, I didn’t say meditation (although I believe meditation is extremely helpful) I mean practicing being less reactive to            your own thoughts and not so quick to respond to your teenager behavior. 😕
3. ✨ Don’t take things personal! This is a tough one for me. Those eye rolls in cocky come back remarks it’s tough I know, but we need to let it go. We need to        let the small stuff go.
4.  ✨ Have your own life! This I realized not too long ago. It’s so important to find and keep your interests, hobbies, and enjoyments that do not involve your          kids or your role as a mom. To me, this means more time reading, more time journaling, and blogging, and as a couple, my hubby and I have a regular          date night, which I look forward to so very much.

I find when I take the time and become intentional with my self-care, it helps me become more patient, present, and emotionally available to my growing teens.

From my heart to yours, Sending you love and light
Stacey ❤️