CLEVELAND — The new year is here. It's a time when many of us make resolutions or try to make some sort of fresh start.
This Mom Minute Monday, 3news’ Maureen Kyle talked to Dr. Adam Borland, a clinical psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, about slowing down and taking some time for yourself.
“I keep hearing this this theme of taking time for yourself, whether it's exercise or doing something you love, or doing something that makes you laugh,” says Maureen. “Is that the best medicine?”
Dr. Borland says when it comes to taking time to practice self-care, a lot of people just shrug off the concept as a luxury or something they simply don’t have time for.
“We often misconstrue the idea of self-care with being selfish," Dr. Borland says. "And in order for us to be the best parents or spouses or friends or co-workers that we can be, we have to prioritize our own health and well-being."
He also says a lot of the time, parents put unrealistic pressure on themselves.
“I think we are so hard on ourselves and we often set such unrealistic expectations for ourselves," says Dr. Borland.
"When we set small goals and see them through to completion -- now, it may not be your entire list, because that may be unrealistic -- but if you can take a step back and say, ‘OK, this is what I accomplished today. It wasn't everything and that's OK. But I did the best that I could and I'll move on tomorrow.’”