Sick Season: Checkmate for Parents
Oof. Another sick season, and it sounds like this one’s going to be a doozy.
We’ve already had about 2 viruses each and we haven’t hit the actual holidays yet.
When the kids get sick, the best laid plans go to hell and explode. It’s hard during normal times for working parents to stay on top of their healthy habits and workouts, and it’s near impossible when the kids get knocked down. Suddenly you’re up all night without warning, you’re taking your own sick days to care for extra grumpy and needy kids all day, and it feels like you’ll never get back to feeling on top of both your own work, and your own self care.
Surrender is necessary, to reduce the friction of the inevitable. Alongside surrender, however, there are some things you can do to hang onto your own care through the process.
Break up your workouts into bite-size parts, each 5 minutes if need be, so that you are still moving your body. Not only will this keep your mood lifted and circulation happy, it will ease the transition back into full workouts once you’re able. During your kids’ naps, or screen time if applicable (we totally do screen time when the kids are sick and miserable), just roll out your mat and do some core work. Or some mobility, or some stretches. If you are a member of B Studio, I your coach will always drop in a program that will meet you where you are, to help you get through a more difficult period. Adapt your workout plan, and keep going to the best of your abilities.
I know this may sound obvious, put get to bed earlier. You have to make some adjustments if you’re waking up several times a night with sick kids. I know it’s hard to pass up that evening me-time as a parent who has felt like he/she has had NO TIME TO ONESELF, but you really need to make sure you’re maximizing sleep as best you can. Skip the me-time, get the sleep. You’re going to be so much better regulated the next day, and you need to be in order to make healthier food choices, mood choices (!), to make those mini-workouts happen, and ultimately to feel like you’ve hung onto more of your healthy self through sick season.
Call in supports. Maybe this is a good time for meal delivery service, or to have groceries delivered. Give yourself a little extra help if you have the means. Call in someone to help you clean up, or to keep some nutritious foods in the fridge. A little extra expenditure can go a long way in making sure you don’t fall too far off your habits.
While difficult, make peace with the fact that your plans have changed and you must adapt. Snuggle in with the kids, and try your best to release your previous to-do list. Release the pressure valve. Two things will happen here: A) you’ll remain calmer, and again experience less friction, thereby having an easier time flowing back into your routine afterwards. B) your kids own nervous systems, and hence immune systems, will have the support that they needs to move through the illness more swiftly. Putting things aside, and highlighting love and rest will only serve as an investment in both you and your child’s wellness through the bumpy days.
Sick season comes. Hang onto some pieces of your health and fitness routine, prioritize sleep as much as possible, and nuzzle into your nurturing mode. It can be the difference between a short-lived fork in the road, and falling deeply off a cliff (and a difficult climb back up).
You may not have the same schedule for your self-care, but if you can hang onto the mindset, you’re most of the way there no matter the setback.