by Kristen Virts
Hey Delta Dolls!
I was with a friend the other day, and we got to talking about dealing with parenting stress and some outlets for that. I told her that I have an unhealthy obsession with Bravo reality television and that one of my favorite things to do is kick back and watch the drama unfold (any other Bravo fans out there? Seriously, those Vanderpump kids are crazy). I also love to knit, and taking some time to do that is very relaxing and productive. But one of my favorite stress relievers is exercise. For me, it’s high-intensity cardio with blaring music that does the trick, but there is most definitely a fitness regimen out there that’s perfect for you. I highly recommend exercise as a form of stress relief, especially for busy Moms. The problem is that, as Moms, we often have a hard time justifying the need to take time for ourselves. I have heard many times from other friends over the years that “I just don’t have the time to get to the gym, I’m so busy with the kids, I don’t have anyone to watch the kids while I work out”, and the list goes on. You know what? I totally get it. Because on some days, I’m lucky if I can complete one sit-up, let alone make it to an hour-long cardio class. It is really hard. Even as I’m writing this, both of my boys are demanding my attention and I just heard a loud crash in the kitchen. It. Never. Ends. But I keep trying. I keep going to the gym classes that I can make it to, and when I just can’t physically get to the gym, I try to work out at home. And, sometimes, that’s even more fun because my boys can join in. They love doing jumping jacks, running, and even learning some yoga poses.
There are so many demands on parents these days, and taking time for yourself may seem like a luxury you can’t afford. Consider this, though. We all want our kids to be healthy, right? One of the best ways to encourage lifelong healthy behaviors is to model them. Kids who see that fitness is important to their parents are far more likely to understand that fitness is important to them as well. There are so many activities that you can do as a family to encourage fitness: biking, hiking, walking around the neighborhood, playing sports, and swimming, to name a few. These are all excellent ways to keep yourself and your kids active. Not sure where to start with your fitness routine? Try Pilates. This is an amazing fitness regimen; it’s low-impact and yet it gives amazing results-- perfect for busy Moms who need to get the maximum from their work-out sessions. Nervous about group classes? No problem, consider scheduling a one-on-one session with a highly-skilled Pilates instructor at Delta.
The bottom line is that we have to take time out for ourselves. Caregiver burnout is a very real thing, whether it’s from caring for your kids or others in your life. We all have someone depending on us and we can’t expect to be able to care for others unless we have cared for ourselves first.
Have you booked your next Pilates fix? Or maybe your first one? Give us a call today at (480) 455-0155. Be the change. Model the behavior. Take time for yourself so you can be your best for those who need you.
Kristen
Kristen is a mom of two wonderfully energetic boys and is also Alexis’ sister!