Often, we are so excited about the pending birth of our baby that we forget entirely to prepare ourselves for the months and years of parenting that lie ahead of us. Being a parent can be incredible and rewarding but also extremely exhausting.
The life you once had now includes raising another human being, ensuring their health and safety on a daily basis. This responsibility can sometimes have a huge impact on your energy levels, sleep, physical wellbeing as well as your mental health. Parental burn-out is a real thing.
A recent study in Belgium, of mothers with children over 18 months old, showed that up to 14% of parents will suffer from physical and emotional exhaustion; emotional distancing from one’s children, and a sense of incompetency in one’s parenting role. All participants reported feeling an intense physical and emotional fatigue.
It is widely acknowledged that the behaviour of parents, and in particular mothers, affects their children’s health thus supporting the health and wellness of parents is an imperative.
One answer might lie in the simple practice of drinking tea.
Not only can tea support pregnancy and post-partum but it can also be a fantastic source of nourishment for parents to generate overall wellness and vitality. Natural plants and herbs can help boost energy, mood, support sleep and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Energy Boosting Herbs
When it comes to energy, kids have a lot of it; they love to be active. The Victorian State Government’s Better Health program recommends children make physical activity a part of their daily routine. They state that the main influence on diet and lifestyle for children comes from their parents, so being physically active together is vital.
To keep up with our kids, drinking teas that includes energy-boosting ingredients such as Siberian ginseng may help. This plant is an adaptogen, which helps to reduce the effects of stress on the body, improves immunity and increases. It is often used to increase mental performance and focus as well as improve athletic performance and increase muscle strength.
Gotu kola is an important natural remedy in traditional Chinese, Indonesian, and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, with its Chinese name meaning “fountain of youth”. It has been used for hundreds of years to treat disorders of the mind including mental fatigue, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and insomnia.
Organic Merchant’s Energy Tea blend combines siberian ginseng with gotu kola, lemongrass, ginger, liquorice, orange peel, hibiscus and cinnamon for a much-needed, caffeine-free pick-me-up at any time of day.
Calming and Anti-stress Herbs
Calm parenting is a must for healthy childhood development but it can be very difficult to centre yourself and remain calm in the moment. Being able to take a deep breath and halt the stress response can be a powerful way to do this.
