We’re constantly bombarded with messages about keeping a healthy balanced lifestyle, but when the demands of raising a family are added this can drop to the bottom of the priority list.

It’s difficult enough juggling family life with work, running a house, exercise and seeing friends, and Bupa UK has recently highlighted how many of us do find this a struggle. These cold winter months are a good time to remember how important ‘me’ time is, and it’s also interesting to see why we find this so difficult.

Research by Bupa’s Health Clinics shows worrying about missing out is the main driver of why nearly half of Brits ignore signs their body needs a rest. Despite feeling unwell, tired or under the weather, the majority of people put pressure on themselves to keep going at work and at home at least once a week. A striking 52% of people admit they have a bad relationship with their body.

Not finding the time to relax can be damaging, as Philip Luce, Director of Bupa UK Health and Dental Clinics explains. He suggests thinking about your relationship with your body as a bank account. ”If you keep making withdrawals and don’t make any deposits, at some point, your bank account will be overdrawn. The risk of not making any deposits – not making time to check in with your body – is that something may be doing damage without causing symptoms”. This lack of concern for our own wellbeing can lead to feeling stressed, unwell and overwhelmed.

We suggest setting aside a few hours for ‘you’ time every week and block this out as you would any other commitment – it’s just as important! Start reading your favourite book again, have a bubble bath, go for a walk or find an activity that helps you relax and unwind. This will give your body the break it needs and leave you feeling more confident to cope with stress and challenges. You need to make sure you’re listening to your body, so when you’re tired or drained, you find the time to rest when you need it.

Being a new parent can be so exhausting, which makes it even more important to be open and talk about your health. By speaking to your partner or a loved one, you can look at bad habits and think about how you can change them. Ask for help to come up with ways to help balance your workload, if you think that might be a problem. Taking five minutes to explain that you need to find time for yourself can help you work out a schedule that gives you time to relax and unwind.

If you feel concerned about your general health, it might be worth visiting your doctor to check everything is as it should be.

Thanks to Bupa UK for providing us with this insightful research! If you’d like to find out more, visit Bupa UK for more information and discover their range of health assessments where you can give your body the full MOT it might just need. Learn more here.