Are you stressed, overwhelmed, or exhausted? Parents need time to de-stress and decompress. That’s why this list of 30 relaxation ideas is exactly what you need. This article contains plenty of relaxation techniques, tips, ideas, and inspiration for busy parents.
30 Relaxation Ideas for Busy Parents
This parenting gig is tough work! I don’t know about you but with every passing week I feel like the days are getting shorter. There just isn’t enough hours in the day!
We can get so caught up in meeting our family’s needs that sometimes we neglect our own.
Here are 30 relaxation ideas for busy parents. I encourage you to take a moment and give yourself a break.
Check out these 30 Relaxation Ideas For Busy Parents #parenting #tips Click To TweetRelaxation Ideas While At Home With The Kids
1. Get out of the house and breathe some fresh air.
2. Put in an exercise or yoga DVD. Invite your children to participate.
3. Rest while your children are resting. You don’t have to nap but you can postpone chores and enjoy a hot bath, a good book, or some prayer time.
4. Take a bath or shower when you can. It does wonders for your mood.
5. Control your thoughts. Don’t think bad things about yourself or your kids… be positive no matter what’s going on.
6. Stay away from social media and the computer when the children are around. Something happens to our brains when we’re distracted by electronics. It’s easier to lose patience and sometimes, our temper. I’m certain there must be some study about this but I know that I’ve talked with a number of moms and they agreed that low patience seems to coincide with the distraction of electronics.
7. Slow down. Don’t hurry. Give your children ample time to get dressed, eat, etc. Rushing around does nothing for your health or your mood.
8. Make your atmosphere bright and cheery. A sink full of dishes is much more tolerable when there’s a bouquet of flowers on the table.
9. Play with some clay or play dough (it can be so relaxing and therapeutic).
10. Do some gardening.
11. Make sure you are eating healthy, well-rounded meals.
12. Drink lots of water and/or herbal teas.
13.Take up a hobby that perhaps your children can enjoy as well; sewing, knitting, painting, journaling, and scrapbooking are just a few ideas.
14. Watch a movie with the kids.
15. After the kids are in bed, have a date night at home. Open some wine, make some popcorn, play a board game, or watch a movie. Get creative and enjoy a special evening with your spouse! Check out this article for some at-home date ideas!
Relaxation Ideas Outside of the Home
1. Go for a haircut, manicure, and/or massage.
2. Treat yourself to a hot beverage and a good book at a local coffee shop.
3. Explore the local art gallery.
4. Peruse a bookstore.
5. Now is the time to go clothes shopping.
6. Have a picnic in a community park.
7. Go to the gym (a good workout can lead to a more relaxed mind afterwards).
8. Head to the nearest pool and go for a swim. Enjoy a relaxing steam or hot tub afterwards.
9. Go out for dinner or lunch.
10. Get your car professionally cleaned and enjoy a magazine and treat while waiting.
11. Go dancing with some friends.
12. Take a class. If you can’t do a long term commitment, then try spending a couple hours at a pottery studio and craft yourself a new ceramic mug or plate.
13. Go for a nature walk.
14. Head out to a movie!
15. Go on a date with your spouse. Make a pact to NOT talk about the kids. Check out this article for some great conversation starter ideas.
Do you ever feel frazzled and in need of relaxation? What do you do to unwind and take care of yourself?
SHARE WITH OTHERS
I do feel that way! I have a sitter coming over today actually, even though it’s so that I can work. However, I am taking an hour to get my eyebrows done and go to my favorite bakery!
So wonderful to hear you’re taking care of yourself today Tamera! Enjoy the pampering… and the delicacies at the bakery.
Pinning this for my future! Thank you Jennifer! Have a fantastic day! :)
I’m glad you enjoyed this Kelli. It’s always nice to have a few tips and tricks up your sleeve before they’re actually needed.
Wishing you a lovely day as well!
Love your list! I must admit that I find it hard to think of myself when the kids are not around. I always tend to go grocery shopping because I can do it without being asked to get something! Lol! I think a nature walk would be a much better idea! Thanks for sharing.
I know, I think we all so that at some time or another. I think it’s important though that we do sometimes think of ourselves and our own well-being. A relaxed and rejuvenated parent is usually a happier parent. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
I have to admit that I enjoy this blog even though I do not have kids. These posts make me think about all the wonderful parts of childhood and how fulfilling it will be to become a mother one day. Even though it seems to be a tough job, there are plenty of women like you who make it seem easy and fun.
Thanks Yvette! I’m glad you enjoy reading even though you’re not a mom yourself. Parenting, much like anything we’re passionate, about has its ups and downs. However, I’ve always felt it’s only as fun as you make it.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Great list! I agree with the whole rest while your kids are napping. I’ve found that when I’m up and about cleaning and making noise the naps don’t last as long. So while they’re napping I relish in the quiet and have some down time myself.
Realistically, there’s no other time in the day to take a break… so might as well take it, right!?
So glad you liked the list.
I love the “now is the time to go clothes shopping”! haha, so true! If you don’t have the kid(s), it’s definitely the time do try things on and pick out something for ourselves. I enjoyed this list!
Clothes shopping with children (or husband for that matter) never bodes well. Leave me to weep in front of the 3-way-mirror all by myself.
So glad you enjoyed this list. We mamas need to remember to take care of ourselves too!
This is a great list! Finding hobbies your kids can do with you is a great one! I love that idea! And not talking about the kids on a date night with the hubby can be hard, but it is nice to do every now and then. Getting a pedicure is probably one of my favorite “me” things to do(although I don’t do it much anymore).
Have a great rest of your week my dear!
xoxo
I’m so glad you enjoyed this list Tiffany. I like painting with my girls. Sewing is another fun one!
It’s so important to take care of ourselves so that we have the energy to be the best we can be with our children.
xoxo
These are good suggestions. I agree that electronics sometimes sap our attention as parents. But they’re great for helping us all relax when we’re stuck waiting somewhere (sports practice, doctor’s office, etc.). There were some stressful waits before we downloaded a nice game app or two to help pass the time!
I agree! Waiting is so much easier with an iPhone (and a fun app) on hand!
Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
Great list! I’m going a way with my husband for a few day while his parents watch the kids. Some much needed relaxation, I hope!
Oooh, time away with the spouse is always a treat. We haven’t done that yet… perhaps when our youngest is a wee bit older.
Enjoy the time away!
I love so many of your suggestions. My favorite is to sneak away to the library or to a cafe for dinner with a book. I love to garden and work outside with the kids too!
Glad you enjoyed these suggestions Sanz! I love getting dirty in the garden with the kiddos too.
Wishing you a lovely day my friend!
What a wonderful list. I love “Control your thoughts. Don’t think bad things about yourself or your kids… be positive no matter what’s going on.” I try to do that every moment of everyday… living the glass-half-full life makes life so much enjoyable!
Thank you for a great post!
Controlling our thoughts takes practice but it’s so important as it has an incredible impact on our attitudes.
So glad you enjoyed this post!
This is great! I need a few of these to relax !
Glad you liked this Remy. I think we all need to try some of these every once in a while. Thanks for visiting!
So many fabulous ideas! And I totally agree that electronics fry our brains and make us more likely to lose patience with the wee ones.
Thanks Nicole! Yes electronics can really impact the way we respond to our children. Glad you visited, thanks for stopping by.
I especially like #11 & #12…gives me more energy!! Thanks for sharing @ Share Your Stuff Tuesdays :)
Rachael @ http://www.parentingandhomeschoolinginfaith.com
So happy you enjoyed this Rachael!
I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Great lists, love them both!! Hope your are having a grand weekend!!!
Thank you Tara! We need our bag of “tricks” every once in a while (or in this case, our lists).
I hope you are having a lovely weekend as well.
Hmmm I will have to take some time to do some of these!! Thanks for linking up to “Stumble Into the Weekend”, Mandy
Yes! We need our breaks every once in a while. Make time for yourself… you’re worth it!
It was my pleasure to link up.
Fabulous! Pinned and am featuring at Family Fun Friday – http://happyandblessedhome.com/2014/05/family-fun-friday-67-rest-and-refreshment-for-moms.html
Monica
Thanks so much for featuring this Monica! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Great tips! I forget to just take some me time. I homeschool and have a blog – so I stay pretty busy. Sometimes I sneak outside and lay on the kids trampoine. They eventually find me but I love feeling the breeze and staring at the clouds!
Hi Janell. Yes, I homeschool and blog as well… keeps us busy doesn’t it?! Sounds like you found a nice way to relax… so important to find that quiet time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Jennifer,
My personal favorite way to relax is to play one of my saxophones, or piano, or guitar, or whatever other musical instrument I am fortunate enough to have lying around.
For me, playing a musical instrument can take me away to another place, I find it calming, soothing and extremely relaxing.
Irrespective of the style of music, playing my musical instrument of choice temporarily removes me from the here-and-now and transports me to somewhere else.
I have found that this can be done via either of your “while at home with the kids” or “when someone else is watching the kids” concepts…. although the mind-set needs to adjust accordingly.
If playing while at home with the kids, I know that I need to be prepared to let shorter people have a turn initially until they lose interest and wander off – then I can go for it, albeit for perhaps a shorter amount of time !
Thanks,
Matthew.
Somehow this comment slipped past me! My apologies.
YES! Both the listening to and the playing of music can be so relaxing. Wonderful suggestion.
Thanks so much for sharing that point!
This is such a great list of ideas of ways to relax. It is not always easy to gain those moments of relaxation that is for sure, but it helps us when we do it. Thanks for this gentle, but helpful reminder.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Crystal. I hope you find some helpful ideas to take care of yourself… you deserve it!
Even though I am late to this post, the tips are timeless. I’m glad I got to read them. I pinned & tweeted. Many blessings to you.