Keeping healthy means being active and eating right. It also means taking time out for relaxation, fun and talking to other grown-ups. It’s reaching out for the help that you need.
Everything you do to look after your health is an investment in your children’s health and happiness. It’s all part of creating a healthy and loving environment for your children. It models healthy habits for them too.
The building blocks of a healthy lifestyle
Healthy food gives you fuel to get things done and the energy to make life enjoyable. Check out our healthy food and recipes. You’ll find simple suggestions for putting a good meal on the table without blowing the budget.
Regular activity keeps you not only physically, but mentally fit. When you exercise:
- You feel a greater sense of control.
- You’re distracted from your worries, at least for a while.
- You have more energy, and you sleep better.
- Your self-esteem, body image and self-confidence are improved.
- Your brain releases feel-good chemicals (called endorphins) that give you a ‘natural high’.
Being active can even help you deal with anxiety and depression. People who exercise regularly are generally less anxious and less depressed.
Build physical activity into your day – every little bit makes a difference:
- Walk as much as you can.
- Get off the train or tram a stop early so you can walk part of the way, or join a walking group.
- Take part in activities with your children, whether it’s pushing the swing, bouncing a ball at the playground, or playing an energetic game of hide-and-seek.
Mental health is very important. The end of a relationship can be very painful. It’s normal to have times where you think that life isn’t fair. Sometimes it feels as though the world is full of happy two-parent families, and you’re on the outside looking in.
It can help to explore those feelings, or just accept them for a while. But the important thing is to be able to have these feelings and then move on.
If you find it hard to shake off negative feelings, it might be time to seek counselling and support. You could start by ringing a
parenting hotline. There’s no shame in seeking help. In fact, it’s critical to your children’s wellbeing as well as yours.
Other things you can do for yourself
- Take a hot bath.
- Take 10 deep breaths of fresh air.
- Get out of the house – try a brisk walk or some gardening.
- Meditate.
- Sing and/or dance.
- Swap massages with a friend.
- Take a nap.
- Write in a journal.
- Create something to look forward to – a holiday, day trip, party or concert.
- Remember that this time won’t last forever.
- Create some space for yourself that’s free of toys or other kids’ stuff.
- Sort out practical things to save stress – make lists, pay bills, make school lunches the night before.
- Keep the house clean. It might help you feel better when you are facing uncertainty.
- Do chores during the week so your weekends are free to enjoy your kids’ company (or vice versa, if you have the kids all week).
- Let go of the need to be the perfect parent.
- Try to look for the good in any situation – it’s almost always there somewhere!
- Learn to say ‘no’, even to people who are trying to help. For example, it’s OK to say ‘no’ to people offering old clothes or furniture that you don’t need.
