“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” –Michael J. Fox
When you think of self-care, you might envision yourself with cucumbers on your face getting a massage. Or maybe you think of axe throwing, running several miles, or playing an instrument for fun. Self-care has been in the limelight with endorsements from celebrities and other influencers on their social media accounts. Self-care is important because it helps you maintain a healthy relationship with yourself and others, it produces positive feelings, improves confidence and self-esteem…the benefits to practicing self-care are endless (additional sources on the benefits of self-care are included below). But what about family self-care? What are you doing to make sure your family wellbeing is maintained and functioning optimally?
At the end of September, I wrote about fun family activities to get everyone involved in the nationwide holiday Family Health and Fitness Day. When practiced individually, self care can benefit you and I emotionally, spiritually, mentally, practically and socially. In like manner, when implementing on family self-care strategies, it will greatly benefit you to focus on each of these areas; it will keep your family healthy, happy, and united. The following are some suggestions for each of those areas:
Emotional:
- Watch a move
- Write each other positive notes
- Discuss each others’ talents/gifts
- Verbalize and talk about feelings
- Draw self-portraits
- Say, “I love you”
- Spend time writing
- Try a new craft
Spiritual
- Write a gratitude list
- Go outside
- Talk about forgiveness
- Write thank you notes
- Volunteer
- Spend time outdoors in nature
- Plant a tree
- Practice positive self-talk
Mental
- Read together
- Draw or write stories
- Meditate
- Find shapes in clouds
- Practice belly breaths
- Go on a walk to find new things
- Make vision boards
- Try Headspace for Kids
- Create mandalas
- Make mindfulness jars
- Mind strength games like “Memory”
Practical
- Clean up
- Declutter old toys
- Assign chores
- Make a grocery list
- Learn about money
- Make a weekly budget check-in
- Make a weekly cleaning check-in
- Do homework/study
- Establish a morning/evening routine
Social
- Play in the park
- Call or visit relatives
- Have family dinner
- Play boardgames
- Host a sleepover
- Invite friends over
- Plan a BBQ
- Join a team
- Organize a food drive
- Discuss friendship and how to be a friend
Maybe by reading this list you have thought of your own ideas for one or more of these areas. Figure out what works for you and your family; what leaves you feeling recharged, connected, and happy? Do those things. And do them regularly. Individual self-care is a daily effort; staying balanced and connected as a family is no different. Carve out time for your family, make it a priority, be consistent, make it fun, and you will find that family self-care is the answer you have been needing for your family. Should you find you need help in increasing your family togetherness, please contact me today to schedule a session.
Melissa Cluff is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Lewisville, Texas, personally seeing clients in the North Dallas area.
Resources:
- Cluff Counseling: “8 Unique Ways to Practice Self-care”
- Cluff Counseling: “The Beauty of Journaling”
- Cluff Counseling: “Doing the Things You Enjoy Can Help Your Anxiety”
- Cluff Counseling: “Family Fun Day”
- Cluff Counseling: “Finding Your Strengths”
- Cluff Counseling: “Getting Up With the Sun: Morning Routines”
- Cluff Counseling: “The Key to Slowing Down in a Fast-Paced World”
- Cluff Counseling: “Outdoor Therapy: Nature’s Cure”
- Cluff Counseling: “The Positive Influence of Affirmations”
- Cluff Counseling: “Self-care: Is it Selfish?”
- Cluff Counseling: “Sleep…It Does a Body Good!”
- Cluff Counseling: “Sleep Like a Baby: Nightly Routines”
- Fostering Perspectives: “Self-Care: Do it for Yourself, Your Family, and Your Kids”
- Healthy Place: “Why Self-Care Is Important for Your Physical and Mental Health”
- NAMI: “Taking Care of Yourself”
- Reach Out: “How to Make Self-care a Family Priority”
- Shutterfly: “Family Quotes”
