What happens after taking care of grandchildren? Ready for 5 ways Grandmas can gain energy and boost our self-care??
I love being a grandma, especially when I get to love on my grandbabies, whether it’s for a few days or for a week of Grandma Camp!! Usually, what happens is I’m so full of joy from sweet memories and while also being so exhausted I can barely move off the recliner for days!
Good news, the more we take care of ourselves. the more we can take care of our grandchildren!!
P.S. This article first appeared in my friend’s blog, Adventures in Nana Land.
Summary of this article:
- Self Care for Grandma
- Self Care Important for Grandparents
- Sandwich Generation Needs Self Care
- Building Self Care for Grandmas
- What’s Your Energy Station?
- Taking Time to Rest & Recover
Self Care for Grandma
Interestingly enough, there’s not a lot of info out there about self care for Grandmas. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a ton of info about Self Care, especially for women, moms, and young moms.
Self Care for Who?
Most articles on google talk about what it’s like to be a grandma vs a parent, and how important self-care is for adults.
But there’s not a lot of info or examples on self care for grandmas.
So, here’s what all grandparents need so we can be full of energy and life to share with those around us. This article dives into different types of self care for grandmas!!
Self Care Important for Grandmas
s awe get older and our children grow up, our self-care becomes just as important as when we were young! We need to take care of ourselves, honestly so that we can be around to see our grandchildren and fully live our lives that we have to live!
Many women find themselves in-between generations, from raising their children and sometimes grandchildren, to the other end of the spectrum… taking care of their parents and sometimes grandparents!!
Sandwich Generation Needs Self Care
That’s where I fit in, I am in the sandwich generation, right smack dab in the middle. I have grown children and little grandchildren, which I am blessed to be a part of their lives. At the same time, I have my parents and husband’s parents and one grandparent, which I am so thankful to be a part of their lives!!
So, my self care is essential!! Without self care, I won’t have enough energy or fuel to take care of anyone well. And I need all the fuel I can get, because I love taking care of my grandbabies, children, parents, and grandmother!! Seriously it’s a joy for me!
Building Self Care Stations for Grandmas
Let’s start with the basics, because without the basics, we cannot make it very far at all.
How to Gain Energy
The first step to gain energy is to look for “energy stations.” Okay, so what is an “energy station?”
Well it’s my own term for a place or person or thing that gives you energy. Just like cars needs to stop at a gas station to get fuel to keep going, we need to stop at an “energy station” to get fuel to keep going as well.
What’s Your Energy Station?
What gives you fuel? How do you get energy to tackle Grandma’s Camp?
Now let’s think about what can help you feel refreshed after Grandma’s Camp.
- Being with people or being by yourself?
- Creating or resting?
- Down time or productive time?
Consider what gives you fuel and energy after Grandma’s Camp.
Taking time to Recover
Many times, we just need time to recover after the grandbabies have been over for awhile. Time is an amazing healer…time to…
- rest
- nap
- sleep
- haha, after you’ve slept… relax
If we don’t make time to rest and recover, we will burnout and get sick, it’s just how our bodies work. We all need rest, sleep, relaxation time to rejuvenate our cells, our minds, and our hearts.
Reflection: Do you prefer a nap, time to sleep deeper, or time for rest and relaxation? (haha, or maybe all three??)
Getting grumpy?
That usually means I need time to nap, and then I will wake up refreshed and much nicer to everyone around me. Try it, take a nap for 10 minutes or an hour, whichever refreshes you the best.
Now that we covered one of the basics of self care: time to rest and recover, let’s cover a few more areas.
Spiritual Self Care
There is something magical and deepening about a spiritual connection rejuvenating my soul. Nothing else touches my soul and gives me life like time with my God and my life-giving resources.
Even 15 minutes of sitting outside in nature refreshes my soul, spiritual self care can be a few minutes or an hour or a weekend away.
Spiritual Energy Stations
Here are a few examples of spiritual self-care & how to create your own spiritual station:
- uplifting music filling the air
- singing loud and with passion
- surrounded by friends who love you
- praying for your friends and those in need
- reading sacred text and motivational words
- quiet time meditating on life-giving resources
I hope you find your spiritual self care and life-giving resources. If you’d like to read more about spiritual self care, here’s an article about 44 Compassionate & Spiritual Self Care Activities.
Reflection: Which spiritual activity would you enjoy trying this week?
Physical Self Care Station
One of the basics yet one of the first to be forgotten in times of busy lives and hectic schedules… showers and hot baths!! If you think I’m kidding, just look at how popular dry shampoo is… I just found a favorite and love it… especially when I don’t have time to wash my hair.
So, in the midst of taking care of others, try to get a shower or hot bath so you will be clean and ready to take on the world.
Reflection: Do you prefer a shower or hot bath? How do you feel refreshed after the shower/bath?
How about sitting in the sun?
We all need vitamin D and the just 15 minutes in the morning or early evening sun can be the best source of vitamin D. Lift depression symptoms, boost your immune system, and energize your body with a little sunshine.
Nourishing Self Care Station
It may be because I just love tea, but a cup of tea makes me feel so relaxed and happy. Just the act of making a cup of tea, or a pitcher of tea warms my soul.
I have a few favorite teas to help me relax, rejuvenate, and re-energize:
- Green Ginger Tea
- Chamomile Honey Vanilla Tea
- Passion Tea
- Peppermint Tea
Reflection: What is your favorite tea? How does it taste?
Relational Self Care
Yes, we grandmas love to be with our grandbabies! And we also love to be with our friends!!
Good friends can be there for us when we are going through tough times, feeling lonely, and just need a good laugh.
Relational Stations can include:
- give us connections
- build lasting relationships
- relate with people our own age
- understand what each other are experiencing
- know the struggles of our generation
- support how we find purpose in our lives
My friendships mean a lot to me, and I am so thankful that my friends love me through mountain and valley times (good and bad)!! Spending time with my friends is rejuvenating & energizing for me.
By my age, I am so much more comfortable with myself that I can now truly relax and just enjoy being me and relish spending time together.
Reflection: What friends feed your soul and refresh your perspective?
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Summary of this article:
- Self Care for Grandma
- Self Care Important for Grandparents
- Sandwich Generation Needs Self Care
- Building Self Care for Grandmas
- How to Gain Energy
- What’s Your Energy Station?
- Taking Time to Rest & Recover
- Spiritual Self Care
- Physical Self Care
- Nourishing Self Care
- Relational Self Care
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Blessings
I hope you get the self care you need to recover and rejuvenate; it’s amazing how much self-care improves wellness. I’d love to hear about your journey towards wellness and what helps get the self care you need?
I’d love to hear from you, please leave me a comment, or join me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Blessings,
Beth
Disclaimer: This article has resources about restoring wellness, and is based on my research and my experiences. This information is not meant to take the place of counseling or therapy. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or need to talk to someone, wellness resources may be helpful.
If you need someone to help to talk to, counselors and mental health professionals can help provide support resources on:
- time management
- stress management
- procrastination
- relaxation skills
- goal setting
- personal development
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Source link: https://moorewellness.life/self-care-grandmas/ by Beth Moore at moorewellness.life