Looking at PARENTS MENTAL HEALTH during By Clay Morrison
I
tâs no secret that lockdown has been a particularly challenging time for parents. On top of the anxiety of living through a pandemic, many have had to supervise their childrenâs home learning at the same time as juggling a full-time job.
have less than an hour to themselves each day, and one in seven even saying that they have no time at all. Of the parents surveyed, 27% even said they felt guilty that theyâre not spending enough time with their children during lockdown.
With so many responsibilities to juggle, itâs no surprise that mental health can suffer as a result. Stress from multiple directions can take its toll, particularly if thereâs little time for a break. Research shows how widespread these problems can be; with most parents saying that they
Even though it may seem that thereâs not enough time to give your mental health as much attention as it deserves, ignoring it is not sustainable in the long-term. Your health is the most important thing â both for you, and your family too.
By Clay Morrison
THE EFFECT OF STRESS ON MENTAL HEALTH
TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF
Science shows that chronic stress can have a serious impact on our mental health as well as our physical health, leading to feelings of irritability, anxiety, and even depression. The cocktail of physical symptoms (including headaches, digestive issues, and more) can make these mental symptoms even worse, working together in a vicious cycle. Itâs clear that stress is a serious danger to our mental health if itâs left unchecked. So how can we tackle it?
Understandably, itâs very difficult for busy parents to carve out some guaranteed time for themselves. But if it is at all possible to claim even a few minutes to yourself here and there, this will undoubtedly have a positive impact on stress levels. Give yourself permission to switch off from work, household tasks, and family commitments. Itâs important to give your brain the space to decompress. Whether itâs reading a book, filling in an adult colouring book, or sitting down to watch your favourite TV show, these moments are necessary for good mental health.
STRESS-BUSTING STRATEGIES With this in mind, itâs important to incorporate stress-busting strategies into your daily routine. But donât put too much pressure on yourself if you donât manage to take as much time to do this as you would like. Even something as simple as a short breathing exercise can have a big impact. It may sound obvious, but being conscious of your breathing is a great way to slow your heart rate and stress levels. Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly. Most importantly, of course, the basic strategies need to be covered too: exercise, sleep, and a good diet are the simple building blocks that are crucial for your general wellbeing.
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Peninsula Kids â Spring 2020