According to the American Psychological Association, parental burnout, often called parental fatigue, is characterized by a decrease in self-fulfillment and emotional exhaustion. This can take a toll not only on a parent’s physical health but their mental health as well. And when you are a parent of a child with special needs, you likely run on fumes more often than not.

Stop this.

There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, even when you have other people that rely on you for everything. If you realize that you’re depressed and anxious, unhappy in your marriage, or have very little social support, it’s time to make changes that help you be a better parent and individual. NutriMagic explains that by evaluating the state of your life, you can make better decisions on how to make changes that will be positive and impactful.

Reclaim yourself.

There are many different ways that you can take control of yourself. Below are just a few ideas.

Pursue a few personal goals.

As parents, we often get so wrapped up in our children’s wants and needs that we forget our own. While there is nothing wrong with changing and adapting to our children's special needs, it’s also perfectly fine to pursue something of your own. If you want to open your own business, for example, do so. But, you should reduce stress on yourself and start an LLC instead of working as a sole proprietor. This will give you tax advantages and protection of your personal assets in case your business takes on debt. If you’re wondering about the Colorado LLC formation process, the easiest way to get started is to work with a formation service.

Stay balanced.

One unfortunate side effect of switching gears and caring for ourselves is that we can easily overdo it. A solo self-pampering day every once in a while is no problem, but make sure that you don’t focus solely on yourself. Remember, you still have a partner, a job, and children that need you.

Eat well and exercise.

You already know that eating well and exercising are important to your overall health. But according to the Well And Good blog, some foods are better than others when you’re exhausted and have low energy. Whole grains, beans, walnuts, and berries will all give your body a boost so that you have the energy to make it through your day. Supplements are also a great way to give your body the nutrition it needs, especially because it’s difficult to get every single nutrient you need from food alone. NutriMagic’s Patented High-Absorption Pure Magnesium caplet, for example, nourishes your overall health by providing your body a gentle source of magnesium that promotes cognitive and cardiovascular health, stable blood sugar levels, a boosted immune system, and more.

Adding exercise to your day however you can get it will also have a direct impact on your physical and emotional wellness. If you can’t make it to the gym regularly, get creative with adding movement to your day. For example, if you live in a walkable area that makes it easy (and safe) to walk or bike to nearby destinations, take advantage by walking to your local dog park next time Fido needs a break or taking a bike ride to pick up groceries for tonight’s dinner. You can also find lots of free workout videos on YouTube that will help you get active.

Talk to someone.

Talk therapy is popular for a reason: it works. But if you don’t want to sign up for therapy sessions, you get many of the same benefits from simply talking to a friend. When you have more social opportunities, you’ll experience fewer issues, such as depression and heart disease. This can make a huge difference as you carry the weight of caring for a child with disabilities on your shoulders.

There is no shame in admitting that you’re tired. As parents, we all feel this way from time to time. When you have the added labor of love of caring for a child with disabilities, your mental and physical health can be impacted significantly. But you must move forward for yourself and for those that you love and that love you. From pursuing starting a business to simply eating well and exercising, today’s tips are meant to help you reclaim the best of yourself.