Mom's Self Care

With Mother’s Day approaching, I began to think of the moms in my life. A running theme for many of them is the struggle with balance and the demands of motherhood. More often than not, self-care is the one area that moms tend to let fall by the wayside. Putting your best self forward requires intentional choices (especially for busy moms), even if that means stepping outside your comfort zone and putting yourself first. You CAN feel healthy, look great, and live a joyful life, all while juggling a family and a career. The key? Make time for yourself, big or small; any time you save for yourself will contribute to the well being of your entire family.

Easier said than done, right?

What moms tend to overlook is that their own self-care is a way to make them happier and healthier, which, in turn, makes them a more effective member of the family. It’s also an opportunity for them to model health and balance for their children.

Recently, I took the day off from work and planned a day for myself - that’s right a day just for me. My self care day may look different than yours, but it incorporated places and activities that recharged me. My day included a trip to Morning Lavender Café for some retail therapy and tea tasting. I am a extrovert at heart and wanted to be surrounded by my friends, so I invited a few to join me. We had afternoon tea and I spent time chatting and catching up with my girlfriends; this really did fill my cup. I sent everyone home with homemade bath salts and a promise to take a relaxing bath some time during the week. Just a few hours to myself had me feeling refreshed.

After my day out, I thought about sharing a few simple self-care tips. Pick one or make up your own routine; it can help make you feel more balanced and happier.

Get your body moving.

Whether you need to exercise more often or just want to shake up your regular routine, choose activities that motivate you to exercise consistently. I like having dance parties in the living room with my kids or yoga alone in my bedroom.

Feed your body well.

Good food fuels your body, so make sure you eat and drink high-quality ingredients. You need to nourish yourself with proper foods. It's great for your kids to see you practicing self-care because you're modeling healthy behavior. I cook fresh meals often and try to eat fresh fruit when possible.

Get connected.

Don't let your busy schedule squeeze out time for family and friends. If weekly date-nights aren't going to happen, then try to at least schedule some time to connect on a regular basis. We had date nights every Tuesday before having kids. Now, date nights are more limited but it is still important for us to plan time together.

Put your healthcare on the calendar.

You wouldn't let your kids miss their annual check-ups—so don't let your own health fall off the calendar. Schedule annual checkups, appropriate tests, mammograms, skin exams, pap smears, flu shots, and vision screenings. And get to the dentist for an annual exam and cleaning (my least favorite). This is not my favorite task but whenever I schedule an appointment for the kids, I will make sure I schedule one for myself as well.

Make sleep a priority.

Moms often get sucked into the "get-stuff-done-when-there-is-time" mentality. Try instead to give yourself the gift of true rest. Getting adequate sleep has helped me have the energy to manage anxiety and increase my positive outlook for the next day. It has allowed me to be in a sharper, better mood when I am awake.

Stay connected to yourself.

As a mom, it's easy to lose yourself in the day-to-day routines of family life: car pools, laundry, preparing meals, paying bills, cleaning, etc. Before you know it, 10 years have gone by and you're a shell of your former self. The antidote? Pursue hobbies. Journal. Do things you love just because, like tea tasting.