WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE FEELING DEPLETED

And How This Can Help Your Teen

It is not uncommon for parents to talk about feeling depleted, drained, cranky, and irritable. No wonder – there’s a lot going on these days!  

This season, if you’re feeling depleted, here are some things that can help:

Take care of yourself. Recognize feelings of depletion as a sign to take care of yourself. It’s tempting to do something to feel better immediately – like eat an entire gallon of Haagen Dazs or drink a bottle of wine or binge watch Netflix. But giving into these temptations can, in the long run, make you feel worse. This season, take care of yourself – adhere to a sleep routine, choose nourishing foods, and spend time in nature. Making healthy choices reduces your vulnerability to feeling depleted, increase emotional well-being, and models healthy skills for your teen.

Practice compassion. Rather than snap at whoever is in your way, speak with compassion. Rather than berate yourself, give yourself grace. Rather than give into everyone’s request, say no and do it lovingly so that you don’t feel guilty afterward.

Stay present. Planning, scheduling, anticipating outcomes is inevitable when you become a parent. This continual looking ahead can increase anxiety, leaving you vulnerable to experiencing feelings of depletion. Rather than looking ahead, thinking about the next thing, anticipating an outcome– make an intention to slow down and be present. Notice what’s around you – the colors, the textures. Whenever you find yourself thinking ahead or making predictions, return your attention to the moment.

The research is clear. When we are present and mindful, we enjoy better relationships, live more creatively, and experience improved emotional well-being. And this is exactly what parents want to pass on to their teens.

Let go of negativity. Take inventory of anything in your life which might be contributing to your feelings of depletion. Scrolling on social media, overworking, failing to do things that bring you joy, taking on too many obligations – all these things can trigger feelings of depletion.

What can you let go of this season? What do you need more of this season?

Responding to emotions skillfully, including feelings of depletion, helps us all to live effectively and joyfully.

This season take care of yourself, practice compassion, stay present, and let go of negativity.