There's a whole lot going on during Autism Awareness month. There's a huge focus put on people becoming more aware, understanding and excepting of those with Autism. That's certainly not a bad thing at all.
Having said that, one thing that often goes unmentioned has to do with the parents responsible for raising these amazing people with Autism.
We all know of that raising awareness is important however, I really want to focus my efforts on helping Autism parents. The reason for this is simple. By helping to buildup and support Autism parents, they can put more into their kids with Autism.
This year my focus is on reminding Autism parents to take care of themselves.
Self-care is so incredibly important when you're an Autism parent because the sheer amount of stressed we face on a daily basis, can have a major impact on our health.
By taking the necessary steps to care for ourselves, we will be in a better position to parent our kids with Autism, and do so in a more sustainable way.
I thought I would share a few things things that I do to help me take better care of myself. These may or may not work for you. These may or may not even be possible in your particular circumstance. Hopefully, these ideas will sorta give you a direction to go in, and from there you can find what works for you.
- I do everything I can to get as much sleep as possible. Sleep deprivation is a chronic issue for me, but doing my best to get a good night's sleep is a priority.
- At least once an hour, I stop and take a deep breath. It's tough to remember, so I set an alarm on my watch. I find that taking a deep breath can help be feel more centered, relaxed, grounded and in control.
- My particular situation makes it tough to get away but I try to exercise as often as I can. Sometimes I'm too exhausted but even a few minutes on the treadmill, or parking farther away from the store helps.
- My single biggest outlet and likely the only reason I haven't totally lost my kind over the last fifteen years, is writing. Writing about my experiences helps me to turn the challenges I face throughout each day, into inspirational and teachable moments for my readers. You can journal or scribble your feelings on a napkin. The point is, your getting your feelings out in a constructive manner.
- I don't drink coffee but I can sip a cup of tea like a boss. Sometimes I can find a few minutes to make a cup of tea and quietly enjoy it, while the kids are occupied.
These are just a few ideas and again, everyone's situation is different. Maybe reading what I do can give you an idea of something that might work for you.
Please, whatever your situation, do your best to prioritize your own needs. I know it's not nearly that simple, but you matter. If you don't take care of yourself, how can you expect to be all you can be for your child with Autism?
I would love to hear what your ideas are. What do you do to take care of yourself? Does it help? How often are you able to do it? Please leave your thoughts below in the comments area.... ☺
