Quick break ideas for the battle-weary parent

(NC) Between meal-prepping school lunches, chauffeuring kids to extra-curriculars and managing a full-time job, life can be pretty stressful for parents. Practice self-care to eliminate stress and feel better with these quick and easy ways to carve out some time for yourself.

1. Join a class. If your plans for me-time always end up falling by the wayside to things on your to-do list, signing up for a scheduled activity is a good way to make sure you prioritize your break. Whether it’s a yoga class or a book club with friends, having a designated time and place will help you follow through.
2. Engage your senses. A form of mindfulness meditation, being truly present in small ways for just a few moments can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Try going for a quick walk around the block and focusing on nature sounds – like birds chirping or leaves rustling – or try making yourself a cup of coffee or tea and truly savouring the scents and flavours.
3. Listen to music. Enjoying your favourite music can transform your headspace and has been shown to have positive impacts on mood, well-being and even memory. Perfect for on-the-go parents, SiriusXM is now a streaming option that makes it easy to tune into any style of music and carve out a break wherever you are. If music isn’t your thing, you can unwind with a wide variety of talk, entertainment and comedy programming.
4. Schedule a date. Set up an appointment on your calendar to do something special that you enjoy. Whether it’s a dinner date with your partner, a one-on-one fun activity with your child, a coffee with a friend or a movie by yourself, make sure it’s something you wouldn’t normally do that gets you out of the daily grind.

Find more information and sign up for a trial at player.siriusxm.ca.