How to prioritise your mental and physical health as a parent

Parenting experts share their advice on practising self-care as a busy parent.

I am a better person when I do yoga. It lightens my heart and makes me feel good. Often, when I’m lying in savasana, I feel the soft tingling of love for my family. With a reignited sense of gratitude, I experience an overwhelming need to get home to them.

But even though it fills my cup, I haven’t always made it a priority. Having a child can shift your perception of what’s important. Doing things for yourself feels selfish and impossible to achieve. Yet choosing to put yourself first is one of the most important things a parent can do.

Amy Taylor-Kabbaz, mindfulness coach and author of Happy Mama, says that filling your own cup as a parent is vitally important. “Your kids need you to be healthy, calm, balanced, present. They need you to be able to hold the space for their enormous emotions, and they need you to be able to handle whatever they throw at you. That’s your job. If you’re not looking after yourself by doing things for yourself (like time away to exercise, catch up with friends, going on a date or getting some sleep), then you can’t do that.”

Amy’s five steps to refilling your cup

  1. Clear the clutter of “shoulds” make a list and cross off all the things that don’t suit you or your life anymore. Keep the things that really bring you joy (whether that’s dinner with friends or having a 15-minute nanna nap).
  2. Ask for support parents often feel they can’t take time for themselves because no one else can look after their kids. This simply isn’t true. Call on your partner, parents, neighbour, parents’ group – there will always be someone who is willing to help.
  3. Make one night a week screen-free Amy explains, “You need space. You need a chance for your adrenal glands and nervous system to breathe out. Set this in your calendar and stick to it as much as you can. Your whole self will thank you.”
  4. Choose replenishing activities you can do with your children This might include walking in the park listening to a podcast, taking five minutes to listen to a mindful meditation. Rather than putting these things off until kids aren’t around (by which time you’re asleep anyway), Amy says embrace trying these things with your children.
  5. “Peace begins with me” Amy suggests printing this mantra out and putting it somewhere visible.

“You are the space-holder, the parent, the main supporter of these little people. If you’re not OK, they feel it. Peace, calm, presence, happiness, they all begin with you, which means you have to find a way to show up peaceful, calm, present and happy – today.”


Shevonne Hunt

Shevonne Hunt is an MC, podcast presenter, radio producer and writer.

Enjoying our inspiring stories?

Sign up to our newsletter and receive our latest editorial and offers directly in your inbox.