Self-Improvement Month falls in September, and we've been giving a lot of thought to how self-improvement can help the whole family. As a parent it is so easy to put all of your focus on your children, your spouse or your job, but who do you overlook in the process, you. If you can spare a little bit of time and focus to put on yourself, your family and work will reap the benefits as well.
1. Organization (time and home)
Organization is important for both your time and your space. Keeping an organized home, office and car can help eliminate precious moments looking for all kinds of misplaced items. Organized time can help you plan where you need to be, when, and when you have some time to decompress, sometimes I schedule that too.
Initially implementing this organization will take time, but once it becomes routine it will save you time and sanity. You'll want to get some boxes, labels, planners and calendars and get to work. Labels are especially helpful for your children and spouse, remind everyone to put things away where they found them. Having a big family calendar in a central location can help keep everyone's schedule in one place.
2. Healthy Eats
Keep your energy and immune system up with healthful foods. It's easy to turn to processed and fast food when your schedule fills up, but these foods won't do your body any favors. Healthier options will give you more energy and stamina. Plan meals weekly, and do some meal prep ahead of time to make especially busy days easier. Healthy slow cooker recipes are all over the internet, and are a life saver for me on busy days. Throw everything in before I leave the house, and when I get home all that's left are the finishing touches.
3. Mental (remember to take care of you too)
You do a lot, taking care of the family and working, sometimes you deserve a break. I'll argue that you need a break. A little time every week, or every day that is just for you. Whether it's a morning workout to get your endorphin's going, grabbing lunch with a friend, or unwinding with bad television before bed, do what makes you happy. When you take these little breaks for yourself, it makes getting through the not so fun stuff easier. You'll be in a better mood, and that will roll over to ever part of your life.
4. Physical
Be sure to get active as a family. A lazy movie day is great, as long as that isn't all you do. Go for walks, have adventures in the back yard, build forts and play inside when weather keeps you in. You don't need to sign up the whole family for a marathon to be active, you just have to take the little steps. My kids love just running circles around the house, through the living room, kitchen, dinning room and foyer. They do this over and over, and love when they have someone to chase them. You may feel silly, but they'll laugh, you'll laugh, and the memories made will last a lifetime.
No one expects you to be Superman/woman, so don't demand it of yourself. Take care of yourself as well as you take care of your family, and reap the benefits of your increased mood and energy.