Mom's Corner

Taking a Minute for Yourself Can Help Your Child

If you talk to moms, you'll hear that one of their biggest frustrations is that there just isn't enough time in a day. You probably identify with this. Every day you do so much for so many people. So it can feel like there's no time left at the end of the day for the "me-time" that you really need.

But taking care of yourself can actually give you more of the energy for one of the hardest jobs in the world—keeping up with a child with ADHD. So, how do you do this?

Tips for Stress Reduction

Experts will tell you, it helpst o have a plan. Here are some tips to think about when you make your plan:

  • People refuel in different ways. For example, some people love to spend time with their friends and family—that's what helps them refuel. But other people need some alone-time to recharge their batteries. Which do you need to recharge?
  • Who is the right person to talk to for getting the kind of support you need? There's usually a "right person for the right problem."
  • Exercise can help a lot. But how do you find the time? Did you know that several mini-workouts may be as effective as one big one? Here are some ideas that each take only a few minutes to do: Run up the stairs, park further away from where you're going, get off the subway one stop earlier, or even dance around the house. You might be surprised by what a difference mini-workouts make.
  • Yoga is a great form of exercise. It helps build strength and flexibility while providing peace of mind. And it's something you can do almost anywhere. If you don't have time to go to a yoga class, consider buying a video.
  • Singing reduces stress. The louder the better. But humming works too.
  • Relaxation exercises reduce stress. Audio CDs and cassettes are available that can guide you through deep relaxation exercises.
  • When moms get really busy, they often "borrow time" from sleeping. But good sleep builds the foundation for concentration and emotional stability the next day. Some moms need to set their alarm for when they need to go to bed, not just when they have to wake up.
    • Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? Try to limit your caffeine intake, especially after the early afternoon. Decaffeinated green tea, white tea, or even red tea make great substitutes.

And Daytrana hopes these tips will help you and your child get off to a better start every morning.