We’re great at taking care of everyone, except ourselves. Practice these Self-Care Tips for Parents Who Put Themselves Last, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner. This is a sponsored post. All self-loving opinions are my own.
Self-Care Tips for Parents Who Put Themselves Last
Valentine’s Day – take care of your spouse day. Galentine’s Day – take care of your gal pals day. Kids Day – that’s basically every day, am I right? Where’s the Parent-entine’s Day? Exactly.
If you’re a parent like me, you put yourself last. The kids need this. The husband needs that. The grandparents, the school, even the babysitter gets the best parent-care treatment you can provide. But who is the last person to drink their coffee…cold after being reheated about 15 times? Who is the last person to go to the doctor when you’ve had a nagging cough for 3+ weeks (ahem, right now that is me). When was the last time you practiced a little self-love? With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I’m checking in on YOU – the parents who put themselves last. We need a little extra love too, even if we stink at the self-care thing. So take the time to take care of yourself this holiday with a few self-care tips from one parent to another. *HUGS.*
#BeYourOwnValentine Self-Care Tips Video
Parents, it’s hard to practice the self-care thing. The Know Your OTCs blogging team put together a little video with our best tips to #BeYourOwnValentine this holiday. Because we’re busy parents. And because we all could use a little extra self-love this time of year. Check out how I’m taking care of me this Valentine’s Day by clicking the video above.
Skin Care
Elephant elbows and sandpaper knees. I honestly can’t remember the last time I even took a good look at my skin. It can me tough to love the skin you’re in! While warm showers and baths can be a welcoming antidote to long, stressful days, they can also strip the moisture in our skin during the cold winter months.
But taking the 10 extra seconds to add some lotion, drinking more water, even checking your skin for any changes – these can be renewing. For more tips on taking care of dry winter skin, follow this link.
Pain Management Care
Anyone else on an exercise kick for the new year? I’m feeling the “old” with my workouts – joints popping and muscles sore all of the time. If your new exercise routine has your muscles aching, or you come down with a cold or flu, you may be reaching for an OTC pain reliever to ease your symptoms.
Be confident you are reaching for the *right* pain reliever to treat your symptoms and grab this new interactive tool at KnowYourOTCs.org.
Mental Health Care
I admit that I am the WORST when it comes to checking in on my mental health. But in all seriousness, we really need to stop, pause and really analyze our psyche. Talk with a psychologist, get group counseling, meditate – whatever it is to refocus and reset your mental health. For me, my depression journey is still a journey requiring attention and care. I can’t neglect that.
That means for me, I’m running more – for my mental health. I’m interacting with people more – for my mental health. I’m pausing and saying “enough” – for my mental health.
Overall Health Care
Let’s not forget ourselves as a whole person, parents. Maintain general health and support your immune system with vitamins and dietary supplements. Millions of Americans are at risk for vitamin deficiencies. From people with food allergies, to pregnant women, to healthy adults, to vegetarians and vegans, learn how vitamins and supplements help support overall wellness by following this link.
I put myself last all of the time. I know you do too. But Valentine’s Day is a reminder that not only does our world get a little love this holiday, but we are deserving of a little extra love too. Take these self-care tips to heart, my fellow super parents. Give yourself the love you need and learn to practice a little self-care.
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How are you practicing self-care this Valentine’s Day?
Looking for more parent health tips?
I am a #KnowYourOTCs blogging ambassador, compensated by the CHPA’s Educational Foundation in support of KnowYourOTCs.org. All opinions are my own. No little hands touched the OTC medicines (I’m a pediatric nurse, remember?) and we made sure to wash our hands a million times – because cold and flu season. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more family tips, delicious recipes, and kid crafts.
Scarlet says
Your tips are so important. Especially for any parent with a baby in the house. It is so easy to get lost in their needs and neglect your own and you do owe it to yourself and your partner and your child to make sure you take care of yourself too.
Sarah L says
You have to take care of yourself before you can take good care of others. I’m getting a massage.
Janet W. says
Mental health care is so important! I’ve had to learn how to say no so that I don’t overwhelm myself with too many tasks on my plate.
shelly peterson says
I am guilty of putting myself last too often. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Dandi D says
If I get too rundown, then I get really crabby with my kids, so I have to take a refresher sometimes!
Holly Thomas says
This is so important, self care has to come first.
Lindsay A. says
Ah, this is such an important reminder! Skin care and mental health care are definitely ones I have to make sure I stay on top of.
deanna says
This is so great! I wish people believed it’s ok to love yourself and take care of yourself! Thanks for the reminders.