Today's Article

"There's a 2misunderstanding that it's something that's 3selfish to take time for ourselves." 

Dr. Melissa Young with Cleveland Clinic says parents can 4overcome 5guilt by 6recognizing self-care isn't a luxury, it's a 7necessity. She says to pretend you have an energy bank. 

"We have to put 8deposits into the bank for our energy. We have to put deposits into the bank for calming our 9nervous system. If we're 10constantly 11running on being 12overdrawn, we're just never going to catch up." 

It doesn't have to take long to 13recharge. If you only have a short time, 14meditate, go for a quick walk, take a bath or spend time with friends. 

"Even if that's five minutes in a day to be by yourself, have a quiet time, do some deep breathing it's 15restorative."

Young says, not to feel guilty about making ourselves healthier because it can also make us better partners and parents. 

"When we're stressed all the time, we can be very 16irritable, and then that doesn't help our relationships or help us necessarily parent any better." 

And if your feelings of stress or 17anxiety get to be 18overwhelming, Young says, a doctor can help.