Remember how excited you were about becoming a mom? You had big plans and visions for devoting yourself to your little one while still finding time for yourself. That’s every mom’s dream, right? Well, while I have no doubt you’re absolutely as devoted to your littles as you expected, I have one question for you: what happened to your self-care?
Self-care is one of the hardest things for a busy mom to prioritize. With everyone needing something almost all the time, you put yourself last on the list and end up ignoring your own needs. You may tell yourself you can handle it, but there’s truth in that saying, “if Mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” You need to take care of yourself in order to be the warm, loving parent your kids need.
When you take time for self-care, you’ll find you get better at caring for everybody else. And the bonus? It doesn’t take a lot of time. Start small with the list below, even if it’s just taking ten minutes for yourself. Soon you’ll get the hang of meeting your own needs in small ways that have a big impact.
Give Your Body What It Needs
This means exercising, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting the sleep your body craves. If working out seems impossible with little ones, add them to your routine. If you run or walk, bring the stroller along. Invite older kids to ride their scooters or bikes alongside you. You can do at-home exercises like planks or jumping rope that your kids will love to try too. Or, they can be coloring or doing homework next to you. You’ll be right there for them, showing them a great example while still able to answer their questions.
Give Your Mind A Break… With Meditation
Yes, you absolutely need sleep, but setting your alarm to go off just five minutes earlier will give you all the time you need to meditate. Meditation is surprisingly easy to work into your day because you can do it anywhere — even in your own bed — and it will make a big difference in how you deal with your daily stress. You’ll also find yourself better able to focus on your kids, without distraction.
Make A List Of Your Old Favorite Activities
Most moms find themselves wishing for the old days when they could… what? What are the things you loved to do before you had kids? Make a list and figure out a way to do them again. Is it reading? If you can’t carve out time to curl up with a book, start listening to audiobooks while you’re exercising or in the shower. Give yourself ten minutes a day to get back to an old hobby you once enjoyed.
Declutter
It’s easy for your drawers/closets/desks/playroom to fall into a state of total disorganization that may leave you feeling hopeless. Keep your spaces from getting to that point by setting aside 10 minutes after the kids go to bed to tackle just one decluttering job. The time you spend on focused decluttering will be paid back every time you open that drawer and see how nice and neat it is. (And you find what you’re looking for without launching a major search effort!)
Adopt A Simpler, Updated Beauty Routine
Have no makeup and messy buns become your everyday look? There’s no need to spend a ton of time putting on a face or doing your hair, but investing in a simple new makeup routine (and throwing out the old makeup that’s cluttering your bathroom drawer) will put a spring in your step and make you feel ready to take on the world. Same with a sleek new haircut that’s wash and go.
With just a few simple tweaks to your everyday routine, you can “indulge” in the self-care that’s actually a necessity. You deserve this, Mama, so I challenge you to integrate at least one or two of these tips into your life over the next week. Leave a comment below with the tips you’re going to start with — I’d love to cheer you on.
And if you’re looking to begin or streamline your fitness and healthy-living routine, I invite you to try my exclusive online community, Fit Rise 365, risk-free. It’s got all the tools you need to keep you feeling your best, even during the busiest times.
ONE DAY MEAL PLAN:
You may also be interested in:
Busy? Me, too! Here Are My Tricks For Balancing It All
The Danette May Show: Too Busy to Stay Healthy? Here's My Trick.