Parents can often fall into a trap of neglecting their own health because they are busily raising children and meeting their responsibilities. But a happy home environment starts will healthy parents.

Your role as a caring and nurturing parent begins from the minute your children enter the world. This role certainly changes as they grow older but essentially it continues until the day your kids leave home (and sometimes for long after that!).

There are certainly times that parents can be so busy looking after their children that they find themselves with little or no time for themselves. This often leads to the parents neglecting their own health. Parents’ health is just as important as their children’s, especially since they are the caregivers.

Most experts will tell you that being a parent will be a lot easier and far more enjoyable if you look after your own health as well. It will also help create a happier and healthier home environment. Besides, good health impacts on us physically and emotionally.

Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself and at the same time you’re caring for your children.

Exercise for Energy

One of the biggest complaints of parents, particularly those with young children, is that of absolute tiredness and fatigue. Whether your child is at school or a newborn, parents are often left with very little time to relax. And if you do finally get some time to yourself, the first reaction is to sleep.

Did you know that exercise and activity will actually increase your energy levels and make you feel healthier and happier?

If you have young children and are a bit short on time, the best and easiest way to get active is to involve your kids:

• Go for a walk in the local park
• When you go to the park, don’t just sit. Kick a ball, throw a Frisbee, get involved.
• Take the kids to the pool. Most places have indoor or outdoor facilities, so there is no excuse through winter.
• Join an exercise group that encourages you to bring the kids. Your local Mums & Bubs Fitness Club (Narre Warren or Elsternwick) are a good place to start!

Take time out just for you

Even if your children are at school, you will find that your days are probably still jam packed with chores, working or running around after the kids.

When is there time for the things you really want to do? Try to make it a personal goal to find at least 30 minutes within each day just for you. It is important to find the time to really look after yourself:

• Put on your iPod and go for a walk
• Join a local walking group and make some new friends too
• Read a great novel or join a book club and nurture your mind, not just your body
• When doing your chores around the house, put on some music and dance while you clean so it won’t seem nearly as bad

Find time for friends and partners.

Try and organise regular together time with partners and catch ups with friends. Sometimes it is really hard to find the time, but it is important to keep your social networks alive. After all, some adult conversation seems like heaven if you are stuck home with young ones all the time.

Plan a daily or weekly activity:

• Arrange to go for a walk with other parents after the school drop off or with mums from your mother’s group. It will give you some fun and fitness!
• Organise to meet a friend for coffee or to have lunch with your partner once a week. Socialising doesn’t have to break the budget!

Balance Your Diet

Are you always skipping a meal because you are so busy? Perhaps you were busy making kid’s lunches so you didn’t get breakfast, or you eat all the kid’s leftovers at dinner instead of concentrating on your own balanced meal.

You can still maintain a balanced diet when you are busy:

• Keep the fruit bowl fresh and well stocked so you can grab an apple or a bunch of grapes as you run out the door in the morning.
• Sit down and eat dinner with your kids so you can enjoy your meal and have a conversation. Doesn’t matter if this is done early.
• Make your own healthy lunch when you are making the kids, that way you are prepared and won’t skip it.
• Keep water handy. Carry a bottle with you, just don’t leave a plastic bottle in your car.
• Be sure to choose a restaurant or café that serves wholesome nutritious food when you are out socialising. Don’t rely on fast food or cake and coffee.

Emotional Wellbeing

At times, you can be feeling really overwhelmed or even underwhelmed with life, kids, worklife etc. Keep stress levels in control and help yourself feel better:

• Rest your eyes occasionally and take three deep relaxing breaths.
• Watch a funny movie, or enjoy friend’s company where you can have a good laugh. Laughing releases enzymes that can help improve your mood and help you feel happy.
• Occasionally take a long soaking bath instead of a shower.
• Try having a massage occasionally to relax tired aching muscles. Yoga classes can also help you relax. If you are more of an adrenalin junkie, try some rockclimbing or mountain bike riding to get the blood pumping.

Finding time for yourself can be a real challenge, no matter what age your kids are. It is a challenge that you need to try and conquer.

Look out for any opportunities to grab five minutes “me” time. No matter how small, they all add up. So make the best of any opportunity that comes along, and you too will start to feel nurtured.