Parenting kids with food allergies and related conditions is a fast track to burnout because of the 24:7 vigilance required to keep our kids safe. This Mother’s Day, resolve to love yourself a little more, putting yourself first some of the time. Resolve to not let it just be a ‘Mother’s Day’ thing, but loving self-care you practice year around.
American novelist, anthologist, editor, teacher & speaker, Eleanor Brown once said, ” …When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow…You cannot serve from an empty vessel. ”
I know it’s easier said than done, but try to give yourself time to refill your ‘vessel.’ Think of it in terms of small chunks of time — even just 5 or 10 minutes — gifted to yourself to help you reset and recharge.
Sometimes the biggest hurdle to showing yourself some love is you. Permit yourself to put yourself first.
Something (anything!) is good enough, like:
- Sleeping in an extra 5 minutes on a weekday.
- Leaving the breakfast dishes in the sink for ‘later’.
- Taking a 20-minute walk in a beautiful place. Be in the moment. Fully.
- Meditating.
- Eating breakfast outside, soaking in the morning quiet after the kids are off-to-school.
- Baking cookies and eating as many as you want—no calorie counting, no sharing required.
- Going on a bike ride. Conquering that hill.
- Going to the nursery and buying flowers—with your ‘happy’ colors—for the patio.
- Gifting yourself a nap. Whether a quick power nap or the real deal—no matter.
- Escaping into a good book, serious or totally frivolous, your choice just for you.
- Dancing to your favorite song in the kitchen. Alone. With joy. Like there’s no tomorrow.
- Calling your BFF, your mom, your sibling, your grandma. Opening your heart.
- Digging in the garden. Getting your hands dirty. Planting some herbs, some flowers.
- Sweating it out at the gym or trying out an exercise class if self-motivating is hard.
- Hand writing a note to a loved one you miss and mailing it. Just because.
- Taking a bubble bath. Don’t forget tea in your favorite mug. (Or some rosé?)
- Declaring it ‘pizza night’ and watching ‘Lady and the Tramp’ for the 100th time.
- Eating chocolate. Lots of chocolate. No guilt.
- Fill in the blank __________________________
…and remember to breathe.
Taking care of yourself will help you be fully present — in body, mind and heart — for the people you love most in the world…
“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. ”
—Jean Shinoda Bolen, American psychiatrist and author
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Empowering people to live more easily & safely with food allergies through technology and education. |
| About the Author: Gayle Rigione is CEO of Allergy Force, the food allergy management app. She’s also an allergy mom. She’s lived the heart stopping moments when her son ate the wrong thing, second guessed reactions and raced to the ER. Her professional and personal experiences fuel her passion for creating tools for people with food allergies. Whatever you do, do it with a full heart. Audentes Fortuna Iuvat | |
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