Resilience is all about being able to cope with everything life throws at you. As busy single parents, it’s easy to put ourselves last. But taking the time to focus on your own wellbeing is so important. These 5 tips are a great way to boost your resilience so you can cope better with everyday stress.
Move more
Keeping active doesn’t have to involve expensive gym memberships or drastic New Year resolutions. Find a way to get moving that you enjoy. It needn’t cost the earth and can make a huge difference to your wellbeing. You could put on your headphones, and have your own silent disco for ten minutes, or take a walk round the block. Whatever works for you!
Enjoy the moment
Constant planning, worrying and – let’s face it – over-thinking can make it difficult to focus on the here and now. So take back some control – spend a few minutes being aware of where you are. Notice the sights, smells, and sounds, and allow yourself to be fully in that moment. It’s a great way of hitting pause and allowing yourself a reset.
Connect
Feeling connected to others is great for our wellbeing. It helps us to feel less isolated, to gain support and to feel part of something greater than ourselves. It doesn’t have to be a best friend or close family member. Texting someone you haven’t seen for a while or arranging a quick coffee can help you build your support network.
If you’re not already a member of a Gingerbread group, you could see if there’s a local group near you. You could even consider starting your own if there’s not. Our groups are a great way to connect with other single parents and make new friends.
Choose joy
As single parents, we’re great at planning, managing ‘to-do’ lists and keeping family life running smoothly. But how often do we plan in joy? When was the last time you did something you really enjoyed? Think about what makes your heart sing – is there any way you could spend some time on this? Plan in something in your week or month which brings that smile to your face!
Random acts of kindness
Feeling good doesn’t mean thinking only of yourself. Doing something kind for someone else can give you a lift too. A simple smile can make a big difference to someone who needs it. Being realistic about your available time, budget and capacity, are there any ways in which you could spread some kindness? It could be helping at a school event, collecting some shopping for a neighbour, or saying hello to someone on the school run.
Focusing on our wellbeing can make a big difference. But there may be other reasons why you’re feeling low. Anything which affects your mood every day for more than 2 weeks could need investigation and support. We would urge anyone in this position to seek professional help. Your doctor is a good place to start if you feel you are struggling.
Mental health support from Shout
If you’re feeling anxious, worried or overwhelmed, or just need to get something off your chest, you can get immediate mental health support through our partnership with Shout. Text the word GINGER to 85258, for a confidential chat with a trained mental health volunteer.