Self-Care For The Autism Mom: 6 Keys To Reducing Stress And Regaining Your Sanity

A day in the life of an autism mom (parent) can be VERY stressful and overwhelming… between dealing with unscheduled meltdowns, potty training issues, countless therapies and endless fighting with the school system to get the much-needed and well-deserved accommodations and services. These are the added list of “duties” on top of everything else. Many parents may attest to the fact that we become really good at operating on auto pilot. It is as if our bodies operate and move almost in a robotic way. It is the same thing a different day (wash, rinse, repeat).

Because most children on the spectrum thrive on routine, your typical daily routine may be pretty much the same, with a few added meltdown bonuses randomly thrown in. As autism parents we often neglect ourselves, both physically and mentally, continuously giving of ourselves until there is nothing leftover for us. What I’ve discovered during this journey is that it was imperative that I set aside at least 30 minutes for myself in order to de-stress, decompress and regroup. Below are six easy ways that helped restore my sanity and bring much needed clarity to my life as an autism mom… And the best part: it can be done in just 30 minutes or less.

1. Take a nap: Believe it or not, a 30-minute power nap can do wonders on your mind and body. Taking a nap, if only but for 30 minutes, will help to stave off sleep deprivation. Taking a nap will allow your body to reset and receive a much needed boost of energy.

2. Take a hot shower: Taking a hot shower will help to relax your overworked, tired limbs. Hot showers will help to relax those achy muscles. A nice hot relaxing shower will help you find clarity. Lavender soaps and body washes are excellent to use to aid in relaxing your body and mind.

3. Take a 30-minute walk: Walking triggers the release of endorphins, which is a potent brain chemical that when released helps to relieve pain and stimulate relaxation… not to mention, it is great for exercise and weight loss (if you want to lose weight). Walking is great for the heart and helps to stave off depression.

4. Get a massage: Getting a massage will allow your body to go into a state of relaxation. Massages reduce muscle tension and allows for almost immediate stress release. There are some trigger point massages that allow the therapist to target your trigger points which may aid in relieving stress headaches and pain associated with stress. A massage helps in reducing high blood pressure brought on by stress according to the American Massage Therapy Association.

5. Listen to soft music: Listening to soft music is very instrumental in relaxing your body and mind. Music is very instrumental in meditation. Music helps to reduce symptoms of depression and music can even take you from a sad place to a happy place.

6. Read a book: In addition to making you smarter, reading also helps to reduce stress. Reading a good book can provide a great (healthy) escape from the day to day stresses that come with being an autism parent. Try finding a book or magazine, that you enjoy.

Whatever you do, please remember to take care of yourself. You are not benefiting anyone, least of all your child when you are operating at less than your best. Being an autism parent is not a race, but a marathon….. So pace yourself.