10 Simple Things You Can Do For Yourself

Are you looking for some simple things to help your family heal?

Coping with substance use can be challenging for parents.

You may find that, among other things, you are not able to sleep. It’s challenging to make the best decisions when you are tired.

Taking care of yourself allows you to pull yourself back up into the world of the living. It will enable you to find that place where compassion, love, healing, and joy can reign free. It gives you back the most important relationship you can have–the relationship with yourself.

Staying balanced helps you and your child in the long run. You may find that you feel more at peace and are better able to cope when you focus on yourself first. There are many simple things that you can do that will bring you peace of mind.

Dr. Maria Baratta states in her article Self-Care 101: 10 ways to take better care of you, “Self-care, in essence, is the mindful taking of time to pay attention to you, not in a narcissistic way, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you.”

Here are ten simple things you can do for yourself when your child’s struggles are getting you down:

Exercise

I know I’ve said it before, but it is worth repeating. There is nothing better than exercise to get the endorphins going. It’s one of the simple things you can do to feel happier. Movement is one way to give yourself that positive lift. Take a walk, bike, go to the gym, or take a Pilates class.

Find something that works for you and schedule time each week to keep your body moving. For years I walked a couple of nights a week with a friend. Not only did we get our bodies moving, but we found our conversations were great mental therapy.

Enjoy more, worry less.

I won’t tell you to stop worrying. What I hope is that you can worry less. Yet, to continually worry and be anxious is not healthy. It disrupts your sleep patterns and can cause more frequent colds and more severe health issues.

You can find freedom from worry and discover inner peace if you set your mind to it. Rather than be overly concerned about your current situation, family, or child, decide what you can control, take action, and see how you feel. If what you try, doesn’t work, don’t give up, try another option.

Surround yourself with people who care.

As humans, having a social connection is what will enable us to live well and thrive. It is one of the simple things that we can overlook, but that helps. Families with substance use issues too often isolate and let go of people who are close. It is not healthy and often makes the problems harder to cope with.

The stigma and shame of addiction stifle family healing. Surrounding yourself with supportive family and friends is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It will help you better cope with the challenges that you are facing.

Things like talking to a friend or going out to a movie can help you feel better. Try to plan something at least once a week. It will make you feel better and give your mind a break from worrying about your child.

Write in a journal.

Writing each day gives you a place to get your thoughts on paper. When we are dealing with substance use, there will be many pent-up emotions. It’s a release to write about your feelings. It can be a vehicle to formulate answers when you are struggling.

Writing clears your mind and gives you a place to release your thoughts. It relieves pent-up emotions, and you feel lighter as you go about your day.

Take time to be still.

Staying present helps you focus on today, not what has passed and not what will come. Focusing on today will make you feel less anxious and more in control.

Taking time to be still is a helpful tool with health benefits and allows you to regain your composure, restore your emotional balance, and bring you back to the present moment. Life’s ups and downs may push you to your limits, and you may find yourself emotionally exhausted.

Practice the simple act of sitting and listening to your breath. It is a way to balance your physical, emotional, and mental state. Anyone can benefit. Notice your breath, let your thoughts float by, and explore the quiet of your mind.

Taking a short time to meditate in the morning starts your day with peace, quiet, and calmness. As you begin to meditate more often, your inner calm will linger, and you will find yourself more at peace.

 Volunteer

When you remove the focus from you, things can feel better. Finding time to do something for someone else, even if it is just for a few minutes. You will feel grateful for what is going well in your life. It can be refreshing to give back and experience appreciation.

Animals, children, support groups, and families that are struggling all need people to help. Find something that is meaningful for you and give back to those who are less fortunate. Giving back will help you gain a broader perspective on your situation. Your heart will become full when you are helping someone else.

Practice yoga

Yoga is an ancient 5,000-year-old practice. It’s no longer a trend. Now, millions of Americans are enjoying its health benefits. Yoga connects the mind, body, and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing, and meditation.

I started practicing yoga about ten years ago. I wanted to make some positive changes in my life, and practicing yoga was the right place to start, as it made me feel better. Yoga has influenced my life and brought me a sense of calm that I had never felt before.

 Have self-compassion

Having compassion for yourself is not self-pity. Sometimes, life gets tough, and it hurts. Bring the same understanding, empathy, and good wishes to yourself, just like you would for a friend.

Self-compassion requires self-kindness. Be gentle and understanding with yourself and not critical and judgmental. Being isolated enhances your suffering, so reach out and connect with others who understand. Know that you are not alone.

Balance your awareness around your current struggles. Don’t ignore your pain, and don’t exaggerate it.

When your kids are struggling, you need all the friends you can get. Being a good friend to yourself is an excellent place to start.

Regain your sense of humor.

Create a home that includes a sense of humor and laughter. While substance use is far from funny, finding time during your day to laugh is okay. One of my friends watches a Seinfeld episode every night before she goes to bed, which lifts her mood. Movies, books, and TV shows can all be a source of humor. Find a friend that makes you laugh and spend time with them.

Life may be challenging for you at the moment, but humor puts things in perspective and gives your mind a break. Humor will help you survive this challenge in your life. You will get more enjoyment out of life when you laugh. By the way, occasional laughter will not harm your child’s recovery. It may enhance it.

Appreciate your kids

“How can I express appreciation when they are causing me so much heartache,” you ask. One way is to take out old scrapbooks of your child growing up and remind yourself of who your child is. Think about your good times and how much joy your child has brought you.

You’ve helped your child through many tough times, and you can help him again. Appreciate your child for being the human being that he is. Your appreciation can go a long way in increasing your child’s self-esteem and motivating him to want to change to a more positive lifestyle.

Focus more on the positive and let go of the negative; things may take a turn for the better.

Don’t let yourself be beaten down by your child’s substance use. Instead, power yourself up to meet the challenge. Include these simple things in your life.

Thank you for reading. If you are concerned about your son or daughter’s substance use, learn research-based tools that can help you motivate your child to change. Add the Sunday newsletter to your inbox. Sign up now.