Taking Care Of Yourself As A Parent

 


Having kids can often take a toll on your wellbeing. It is obviously a very stressful situation in general and there are lots of ways in which it does affect your health. But as much as your children are everything to you, you still need to find ways to take care of yourself as well, and this is something that you are really going to need to make sure you are doing as well as you can. Let’s take a look now at some of the main ways to ensure you are doing this.


Pic Credit - CCO License

Get Whatever Sleep You Can


Although it can often feel hard to come by, you really do need to make sure that you are getting as much sleep as you possibly can. Even just naps here and there make a difference, although what you really need is to get as many good hours of sleep at night as possible. If you can do that, you should find that it makes a huge difference to how you feel and that you are going to be caring for your health so much more as a result too. So this is really important to think about.


Keep Up With Your Health


As a parent, it’s easy to put your own health on the back burner, but regular checkups are one of the best ways to take care of yourself–especially as you get older. Staying on top of routine health screenings can help catch potential issues early, giving you the best chance of staying strong and healthy for your family.


Annual doctor’s visits are a great place to start, making sure your blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall well-being are in check. Eye exams are just as important, especially if you find yourself squinting at screens or struggling with night driving. And don’t forget about hearing exam–even mild hearing loss can be exhausting to deal with, making everyday conversations more draining than they need to be.


For moms, certain screenings become even more essential over time. Mammograms and pap smears help detect early signs of breast and cervical cancer, while regular skin checks can catch any unusual changes that may need attention. These exams might not always feel urgent, but prioritizing them now means you’re looking out for both yourself and your family in the long run.


Your health matters, and taking time for these checkups isn’t selfish–it’s a necessary part of being the best parent you can be.



Take Yourself To The Spa


From time to time, find someone who can look after the kids and take yourself to the spa. You can go alone or with friends, but the point is to have a truly luxurious experience and to really make the most of it as much as you can. If you can do this, you should find that it helps you a lot and that you are going to have a much better feeling of self-care. Consider buying yourself some gift cards available at Spencer's Spa and using them over time, as this is a great way to promise to yourself that you will actually keep the appointment with yourself.


Pic Credit - CCO License

Don’t Skip Meals


A lot of parents find that they end up not eating too well because of the needs of their children. While it can seem tempting to just try and get by on coffee, really this is not the best approach to take, and it’s much better to try and make sure that you are eating as much as you need to. Certainly try to avoid skipping any meals, even though it might seem as though you have to do this in order to find time. It’s much better for everyone if you eat what you need to eat.



Move Around


Finding a moment to move your body means that you are showing yourself some much needed love and care, so this too is something that you will want to think about in all this. As long as you are able to move around even just a little, it’s going to help you to feel so much better in yourself on the whole. It’s amazing what a little walking or stretching can do for your body as well as your mind.

How To Make Any College Space Feel Like Home

 


How To Make Any College Space Feel Like Home


Moving to college is exciting, overwhelming, and maybe a little bit terrifying… You’re stepping into a whole new world, surrounded by new people, new routines, and probably a space that looks more like a plain, lifeless box than an actual home. But the good news is your dorm or college apartment doesn’t have to feel like a temporary stop - you can make some changes (that don’t cost all that much and are fairly easy to do) and then turn your space into a cosy, comfortable place that feels like home. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. 


Photo by cottonbro studio

Cosy Bedding And Soft Lighting

One of the easiest ways to make a space feel welcoming is by upgrading your bedding - you’ve got to get good quality sleep if you want to get good grades, after all. The problem is that college-provided mattresses aren’t exactly known for their comfort, so investing in a plush mattress topper can make a huge difference. On top of that (literally), soft, high-quality bedding in your favorite colours or patterns makes the place feel a lot more like you, and if you add a cosy throw blanket, it’ll be just right. 


Lighting is also hugely important in making a place feel comfortable, and the last thing you’ll want is harsh fluorescent lights that make everything feel really clinical. Switch those for softer bulbs and it’ll be much better. Other things to do include having a bedside lamp and some string lights draped around the room or bed frame to make things feel lovely and relaxing. 

Add Personal Photos And Decor 

It’s true that your dorm or apartment might only be temporary, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel generic - in fact, you’ll want to get as far away from that as possible. That’s why it’s a good idea to fill your space with personal touches because that helps create a sense of familiarity and comfort. You can have lovely photos of friends and family, framed prints, or even a vision board filled with goals and inspirations, and all that can definitely bring an element of home to your new surroundings. Posters and artwork, whether they show music, movies, or travel, help make the space uniquely yours, and they’ll keep you motivated no matter how hard things get - that’s priceless. 


And don’t forget about the little things - small decorative pieces like a favourite mug, a fun desk ornament, or a stylish and soft rug can also add another layer of comfort to any space, including the most boring of college rooms. 

A Pet For Extra Comfort

Nothing makes a place feel like home quite like having a pet to keep you company - it’s why having an animal around the house is such a popular thing for people to do and why people love their pets so much. This can be tricky at college because a lot of dorms and college apartments have strict pet policies, but it’s not impossible and there are still options for low-maintenance pets that can bring joy and companionship without requiring a ton of care.


Fish, particularly betta fish, are a great choice since they don’t need a large tank or complicated setup. Hamsters and gerbils are another option, because they’ve got fun little personalities but they’re also contained in a cage so they won’t be making loads of mess. Or what about turtles? They can be a lot of fun, and they’re also completely silent, so they’re ideal if you don’t want to disturb anyone. Whatever it is, if you’re considering getting a pet, always check with your housing rules first, and remember that the best pets for college students are those that fit your lifestyle and can live quite happily in a small living space. However, if you can make it work, it’s the ideal way to make any college space feel like home. 

Have A Productive Workspace 

If you’re at college, it’s highly likely you’ll be spending a good chunk of time at your desk - you’ve got to study, after all! And that’s why it’s important to make it a place where you actually enjoy working - things can get pretty challenging in college, no matter how much you happen to enjoy the course, and the more productive you can make your workspace, the better it’ll be in the end. 


So what do you need? Well, a comfortable chair is a must, especially if you’ll be sitting for long hours studying, so it’s definitely worth spending a bit more than you might have budgeted for to make sure you get one. Plus, keeping your desk tidy and clutter-free can make a big difference in focus and productivity, so it’s a good idea to invest in organisers for papers, pens, and other essentials - then you’ll know where everything is. And how about a few small plants? They can really help liven up your workspace, making it feel less like a classroom and more like a place where you can be properly creative (plus they’ll help with the air quality of your room, so that’s a bonus that’s going to help you stay healthier during your time at college). 


Something else to remember is that scent can also play a role in creating a relaxing and productive environment, and a small essential oil diffuser with calming scents like lavender or peppermint can help you feel less stressed and more able to study - it could be what makes all the difference. 

Keep It Tidy 

The problem with a cluttered room is that it can make even the cosiest of spaces feel stressful, and the key to keeping your space neat is small, consistent efforts rather than big, overwhelming cleaning sessions that take loads of your precious time and feel like they’re a lot to handle - so often won’t get done at all. Things like making your bed every day only takes a minute, but it instantly makes the room feel a lot better and tidier. Plus, keeping some storage bins under your bed or on shelves helps keep things organised without taking up extra space. 


You can also get into a good routine with a five minute tidy up every night before bed where you put clothes away, wipe down your desk, organise papers, and so on. Doing that prevents mess building up over time, and when your space is clean and organised, it feels so much more comfortable and pleasant to be in, which is definitely going to make you feel much more at home.

January Nadine West Monthy Bag

 


Disclaimer I received this product for my honest review all opinions are my own. 





A monthly bag geared toward items you would want just by taking a simple quiz and letting them know what you like and what you don't like. I always like taking the quiz so I let them know exactly what I previously got that wasn’t really my style. They also have where you do mini reviews on their website with the items that you received and then in a description box below that you can tell them what you didn’t like.


This month I received three dresses, one top, and one skirt. I was pretty impressed this month with all that I received.Right now you can receive seven items for $99. Make sure to check that out.


The first item is this beautiful green dress with some kind of cream design on the front and throughout the dress. I absolutely love the length of this dress however, the front it was a little bit low-cut so I did purchase some tops that I can wear under the dresses that are more low-cut. This dress is called the Raelyn dress how fitting that is my sister‘s name. This dress retails for $35.99 to keep.






The next dress I received is this beautiful navy color Noelani dress at first, I was unsure about this dress, but then whenever I put it on, my husband really liked it and I did so myself as well. It is definitely a different type of dress with almost these ribbed lines going down it. It retails for $23.99.




There is this Lisa knit Maxi skirt this is one of my favorites in the size medium, it came with a shirt also in this bag I received a top that matches up perfectly with this. It retails for $24.99 to keep. It is really comfortable and the material is really soft. Plus it’s black so it will go with anything casual or dress up.




This top is actually really gorgeous I actually wasn’t sure about it at first because of the revealing low-cut collar however, I purchased of you on your top that go perfect with this where it does not look so low-cut. It is the perfect length and goes perfect with casual or dress up. This top retails for $19.99 to keep.





Next, is this beautiful dress I really like it. It’s just a little short for my taste but it is beautiful I really love the color as well. It’s perfect for spring time. you can pair this dress with sneakers or sandals. This dress retails for $21.99.






And last, but not at least is this necklace definitely not my style I don’t really wear costume jewelry. It is the bright orange color. This necklace retails for $20.99 to keep.






February Nadine West Monthly Bag

 


Disclaimer I received this product for my honest review all opinions are my own.