Louis P. Bucky, MD, FACS
Award-Winning, World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon
Premiere Destination for Finest Injectables & Skin Care
February 7, 2024
Parenthood is one of life’s most thrilling and rewarding journeys. Similarly, a career outside the home can provide many moments and opportunities for fulfillment. And, though the day-to-day varies, these two different commitments share a common theme — they require your time and energy.
As a parent, you have to balance many routines for many people in your family — including meals, education, activities, and bedtime. And when your professional career takes off while you’re simultaneously raising a family, you add more to your plate with meetings, projects, and deadlines. When are you left for a moment for yourself for some fun, self-care, healthfulness, and romance?
It may seem like your self-care routine is destined to fall to the wayside while giving your attention to other priorities.
But don’t worry. A self-care routine and a more positively balanced life are within reach. Although it may feel difficult to find the time and space to carve out for self-care, doing so will help make you a better parent and a better performer at work. Here we’ve organized and summarized a few tips and tricks that you can use to begin and sustain your self-care journey with confidence and ease.
Taking regular breaks throughout the day can do wonders for productivity and focus. A large body of research indicates that, overall, taking breaks during the day not only benefits employee well-being but improves their overall performance as well. This suggests the restorative effect of breaks, an excellent takeaway for working parents everywhere.
Incorporating breaks into your day is attainable with the right tips and reminders:
Of course, these breaks don’t have to be long or lengthy. Even a small walk away from your computer in between working tasks can give your mind and body the rest it deserves.
You deserve and need breaks throughout your day, and not only during work hours. Remember to schedule downtime once you’re home too!
In your rush to start your workday or get the kids to school on time, finding time to maintain your beauty regime can be tricky — and on some days, you may feel like you have to skip it entirely. However, working parents can “treat themselves” while positively enhancing their appearance through cosmetic care. These procedures not only enhance physical appearance but can also improve mental well-being.
Further, these procedures are also financially achievable with the help of payment plans and membership programs. These can be great options for any parent who may be concerned about finding the funds and time for their own self-care.
In addition, a psychological study revealed that 87% of patients reported satisfaction following their surgery a year after receiving cosmetic surgery. This included improvements in their overall body image as well as experiencing fewer negative body image emotions in social situations. This suggests that most patients felt an increase in self-confidence following their cosmetic procedures, which could potentially contribute to their professional success.
Various cosmetic treatments are available to accommodate different needs and wants:
But before diving headfirst into any cosmetic procedure, finding a trusted and experienced doctor in your area is crucial. You’ll need consultations, follow-ups, and potentially additional treatments over time, so having a reliable doctor nearby will save you unnecessary stress and travel time, making it that much easier to stay on top of your self-care.
Any exercise, from high-intensity workouts to low-impact exercises like yoga, can have significant stress-relieving benefits. Moreover, physical activity increases overall health and well-being and boosts endorphins, helping you stay calm, clear, and focused.
Try to find time to do even small amounts of exercise during your day. A little bit can still go a long way in supporting your self-care efforts.
You can also do a variety of treatments to complement the benefits of exercise. For example, cryotherapy can help restore the body after intense exercise so you won’t feel as sore the next day. In addition, red light stimulation therapy addresses this same pain with the help of warm, soothing red light, which can increase local blood circulation to a target area of the body.
If you’re experiencing chronic pain due to exercise, functional pattern therapy or biomechanics training can help address these pain points by helping the body move in ways it’s supposed to through the help of physical therapy methods.
Working parents can face countless daily requests, such as parties or after-hours work questions. Too many commitments and expectations can be draining for anyone but especially overwhelming for a working parent. Learning to say no to optional requests is critical and powerful.
Setting boundaries and saying no doesn’t mean neglecting your responsibilities — it means taking care of your well-being, which is equally important. This, in turn, may make it easier to say “yes” to future activities and engagements, since you’ll be rested, energized, and ready for whatever comes your way.
Working parents might sometimes hesitate to ask for help for different reasons — like being afraid of being judged, wanting to seem self-sufficient, or not wanting to impose on others. But seeking help from others isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.
It’s important to recognize when you need support. And whether soliciting advice from a trusted source or asking friends and family members to help with certain aspects of childcare, it’s important to ask for the help you need.
However, when you’re starting to feel stressed with work, childcare, or both, it can be difficult to know who to go to. That’s why you must surround yourself with a supportive network. This can include everyone from your friends, colleagues, family, or even friends made on social media. Not only can these figures lend a listening ear when you need it, but they can also help out if you need a task taken off your plate.
While life can sometimes feel overwhelming, implementing these self-care practices might be the key to maintaining your well-being and achieving success as a working parent. You can do it!
If you live in Philadelphia, Ardmore, or nearby communities in PA and would like more information on our practice, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bucky, please contact our office today.
