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We ask mental health experts with kids how they look after their own well-being.

Parenting is hard. It’s a full-time job and many parents find themselves prioritizing their family’s well-being before their own.

When we are able to meet our own mental and physical needs, it not only benefits our well-being, but our children’s as well.

But how do you make it happen? We asked three mental health experts, who are also parents, how they do it.

Hear from Dr. Lisa Damour, Sonali Gupta and Dr. Hina Talib on how they prioritize self-care, the activities they practice and the benefits they have witnessed for their families.

What have you learned about self-care as a parent?

If you haven't started yet, then now is always a good time to make space for self-care.

Sonali Gupta

Lisa: Very often, I think parents assume that taking time for themselves means that they are taking time away from their children. But this isn't true. When we care for ourselves, we are better able to care for our children. And caring for ourselves underscores for our children the importance of self-care while also showing them how it's done.

Hina: Self-care is something that can be done a few minutes at a time, it is like a habit that takes some effort to create, but then is always there with you. But self-care can also mean asking for help when you need it at home, at work, from family and sometimes from therapists or other mental health clinicians.

Sonali: If you haven't started yet, then now is always a good time to make space for self-care. It's a big step towards self-compassion and resilience. Be gentle with yourself and others as you begin to start your self-care journey. Turning small practices into rituals takes time and at the same time it's an investment towards our mental well-being.