As a mom working from home, constantly connected to the internet, I’ve realized the pressing need for self-care ideas that encompass both the offline and online worlds. Balancing my digital life with offline moments is crucial, not just for my well-being but also for my kids, who are growing up in this tech-savvy era. I share with you some of my favorite self-care strategies that I’ve found beneficial for maintaining our family’s overall health and digital well-being.
Online ideas for self-care for you and your children
1. Join online forums or groups that focus on hobbies or interests you’re passionate about. Engaging in positive, supportive online communities can enhance your sense of belonging.
2. Use features like “Do Not Disturb,” app timers, and wellness apps that remind you to take breaks, meditate, or practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day.Scan your social media friends and remove those that bring you down (ask your kids to do the same, if they have a social media account). For example, people that make you unhappy or posts. that spread hate messages.
3, Unsubscribe to newsletters that are filling in your email. Declutter the junk in your inbox.
4. Complete any online courses you have signed up for at the start of the year
5. Actively manage your social media feeds to include accounts that inspire and motivate you. Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger negative emotions or waste your time.
6. Establish areas in your home, such as the dining room or bedrooms, where digital devices are not allowed. This promotes quality family time and better sleep hygiene.
7. Clear your desktop from those unwanted folders
8. Remove apps from your phone that you don’t use anymore
9. Remove YouTube from your kid’s devices and install alternatives like Netflix or Youtube for kids
10. Ask your kids to pick an educational show or course they would like to learn for the next 3 months. Challenge them to try something new. You can see a list of activities here.
11. Don’t forget to get this free copy
Offline ideas for self-care for you and your kids
- Start a journal. You don’t have to wait for the beginning of the year to start something new. Challenge your kids to start writing daily. You can use the Happy Printable Journal which only takes 5 minutes to fill in each day.
- Dive into a good novel, self-help book, or even comic books. Reading is a great escape that can stimulate your mind, reduce stress, and improve empathy.
3. Let go of things you don’t need at home. Declutter those toys, clothes, and things that are piling up your home. Ask your kids to choose toys they no longer want and get them to donate it to a local charity.
3. L5. Pay attention to self-neglect and things or people that don’t respect you. Ask your kids if there is anyone in their life that upset them and what can they do to not let that person affect their mood.
6. Engage in activities like drawing, painting, crafting, or DIY projects. Creative expression is a therapeutic way to express yourself and can be a fun activity to do with your kids.
5. Do something nice to celebrate your body. For example, go for a manicure with your child. Teach your kids how to love their body and the way they look.
6. Practice meditation or yoga to improve mental clarity, reduce anxiety, and enhance physical flexibility. These practices can also be an excellent way for children to learn about self-regulation and mindfulness.
7. Do something that you or your child is afraid to do. Facing fears is never easy but it goes a long way in building self-confidence in children. For example, learn a new skill together such as knitting, coding, or even playing video games with your children like Roblox or Minecraft. You can use the personalised growth mindset kit to help children face challenges with confidence.
8. Embrace the concept of warmth in this cold season. Surround yourself with music that makes you and your kids feel warm and fuzzy inside.
9. Choose a day where you and your kids will be offline. Go do something in nature. Play outside and pretend it’s the 90s.
10. Wash all the linens and bring out the warm blanket. Get your kids to help you pick the next set of sheets.
11. Cook together as a family. Get your child to pick a recipe from YouTube and prepare it together
12. Let go of things that have been bothering you. We all have that thing. For you to be present for your kids you need to learn to let go first.
13. Ask your kids to pick one bad habit they want to work on ( you can do the same) and then take baby steps to overcome it.
14. Go to a book store and ask your kids to pick a book they would like to read for the month. Don’t choose the book for them. Kids are more likely to complete reading a book they have picked themselves.
15. Face anxiety. Write down the things that you are afraid about and then tear it off. Say things that would make you feel better after that. For example, “You don’t exist”. Use the anxiety sheet below to help you do this.
16. Go for a nature walk and take photos of the season. Do some video editing with your child and print out those photos.
17. Get your kids to write down their goals before Christmas. Small monthly/weekly goals can be effective and motivating for kids
18. Get spiritual and practice meditation and mindfulness with your kids. You can read more on how to meditate with your kids here.
19. Do some fun mindfulness coloring.Use the coloring sheet below for your kids
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20. Create a happy list of things. Include things that make you happy
21. Take a nap
22. Exercise : Whether it’s a home workout, dancing, cycling, or playing a sport, physical activity releases endorphins, which make you feel happier and more relaxed.
23. Say “no” to people you don’t like spending time with
24. Finish of a puzzle
25. Buy yourself and your kids a new set of stationary
26. Spend some time gardening. If you do not have a garden, then do it using indoor pots.
27. Make a list of things you are grateful about
28. Have a picnic ( even by yourself)
29. Write a letter or email to someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
How to introduce ideas for self-care ideas to your children
Let your child know the importance of taking care of yourself.
This could include, hitting a pause on things that make them unhappy and reflect on the things that make them smile.
This would also include doing some reflection and picking up some new activities that would make them feel happy.
Self-care also includes getting rid of clutters in your life. It could be emptying up space in a room but also in your mind.
If something has been bothering them then this is a good time to do something about it.
Self-care is also not something that is to be done once a year, or just during the holidays.
It is an activity that should happen every day, even for just a few minutes. For example, journaling every evening or exercising.
It is about doing small things each day that makes the body and soul feel calm and relaxed.
Finally, check-in with how your kids are feeling:
Many times parents ask their kids how was their day in school and if you are lucky you get a two-word answer “yeah, alright.”
How can you know what your kids are really thinking? You can use the Happy Journal Printable and Growth Mindset Activities designed to help parents understand what has happened in their kid’s daily life.
You can even use the Growth Mindset Kit to start a gratitude challenge with your kids. Share in the journal things they are grateful for every day.
Watch how your kids transform their mindset to a positive one using simple prompts and reminders.
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the personalised growth-mindset kit you can use at home or in the classroom.
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