Are you ready to start some new habits?
Would you love some suggestions for what has worked for others?
You feel stressed if your child is in the midst of drug use. I know I felt helpless.
Creating new habits helped me feel better and get my life back on track.
As parents, it is easy to hold our kids so tightly in our efforts to prevent further damage that neither one has a free hand to reach out for help.
When you keep up a healthy state, things will go more smoothly. Even if your child is struggling, your life can be happier. When you fill up your own bucket, it helps everyone else.
Change may feel like a welcome relief when the pain outweighs the discomfort of staying in your comfort zone. I realized I have a choice about how I face the world each day. If I adopted new habits, it would help me feel calmer and more in control.
Some habits that help me are sticking to my morning ritual of sitting in silence for a ten-minute meditation, writing in my journal, and practicing gratitude.
When your child’s issue becomes the center of your existence, it is time to begin letting go of the drama while still being there with love. You can help motivate your child to change their life, yet your bucket needs to be full to have something to give others.
When we are so focused on our kids, it is easy to neglect ourselves. Sometimes, taking a break from the worry and stress helps the shift begin.
“In dealing with those who are undergoing great suffering, if you feel ‘burnout’ setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself. The point is to have a long-term perspective.” ~ Dalai Lama
Here are six little habits to help you feel better and get your year started on the right track:
Breathe
Taking time to notice your breath for at least 5 to 10 minutes a day helps bring you back to the present. I feel more relaxed when I take a few minutes to be quiet and breathe in the morning. I have more inner peace and a more profound sense of calm.
The stillness brings you to the present moment. It gives your mind a break from all the worry. As you meditate or sit quietly more often, your inner calm will linger and help you remain calm throughout the day.
Exercise daily for physical, emotional, and mental health.
Physical exercise has always been an essential element in my life. A run, walk, yoga, or swim laps can get your body moving. I still love to run a couple of times a week. Having a dog helps motivate me to get out there and move. I enjoy walking, and I try to take as long a walk as possible. Also, attending several weekly yoga classes keeps me on a healthy path.
Maintaining good physical health is essential during times of stress. Regular exercise will improve your mood, help you sleep better, and give you the break you need from worrying about your child.
Develop the habit of smiling as often as possible.
Even when you are feeling down, smiling can brighten your mood and help you feel better. Try to smile as much as possible. If you are having trouble, start small with a half-smile. Life will feel better when you are smiling. There is that old saying, fake it until you make it. Smiling more often gets you out of the doldrums and lifts your mood.
Sometimes I play a game with myself and see how many people I can get to smile back at me, even if they are strangers. It always makes me happier to know I’ve made someone else smile. You have a choice of how you face the world. Try smiling a little more and see if it helps you feel better.
Explore new hobbies you’ve always wanted to try.
Time goes by when you are engrossed in your favorite hobby, and you often lose yourself because your hobby has your complete attention. Your worries, fears, and stress disappear as you give in and enjoy!
For several years, I enjoyed quilting. I’m not artistic, so quilting filled that creative void for me. Gardening and reading come in a close second. Finding your passion through your favorite hobby feels like bliss!
Reach out to supportive family and friends.
Friends and family can all be a source of support when you are struggling. Sometimes they are more compassionate than you are to yourself. Supportive family and friends can lend an ear when you want to talk.
Too often, I hear from parents that they keep their child’s issues to themselves. It is essential to surround yourself with supportive people. Isolating tends to feed the stigma and shame of substance use. You will find that when you try to reach out to those in your life who will support you, you will do better.
Maintain balance in your life.
Keep your life balanced by maintaining your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual states. Making good decisions, maintaining your emotions, and feeling good will be easier when your life is balanced.
Start this year by setting goals for each area of your life. Check in with yourself each month to see how you are doing. Be realistic and start small so your goals feel doable. For example, if you start exercising, put it on your calendar and make the time. Even starting with 5 minutes a day helps.
Another example could be spending quality time with family members who are doing well. Decide how much time you will devote to other family members each month, write it down, and check in on yourself to see how you are doing. They deserve and need your attention as well.
Instilling these six habits into your life will uncover and strengthen your inner self. When you stay on a healthy path, you help yourself and your child.
Thank you for reading. You can get more tips in my email newsletter. Every other week, I share tips and ideas to help parents motivate their son or daughter to change if they are struggling with substance use. Join us by entering your email now.
