5 simple self-care practices for busy mamas
As mothers our days are full. Full from the moment we open our eyes, often woken by the soft voice of a child, until we get back into bed at the end of the day, exhausted, and wondering where the day went. There are meals to be made, lunches to be packed, and childhood crises to manage. A mother’s to-do list stretches longer than a child trying to delay bedtime.
And yet, how often is our own self-care on that list? I encourage you to take a pause, and make sure that the next time you run through your mental to-do list, you add a line for your own self-care.
Self-care is often thought of as something lavish and grand, when it doesn’t need to be. It’s about finding quiet moments of awareness throughout the day to improve your overall well-being. Think less spa, more quiet cup of tea. Less massage, more recentering of self.
Some of our favourite ways to integrate self-care into our day:
Get your body moving: Exercise helps to increase endorphins and increases serotonin (aka the happy neurotransmitter). Just 30 minutes of regular exercise a day can help you relieve stress, anxiety and depression, besides boosting your circulation, muscle strength and endorphin production.
Take pauses as needed throughout the day: Reduce the chance of reaching the breaking point by taking deep breaths and connecting to your body and your feelings. A few moments of mindful breathing can help you listen to what your body needs.
Take advantage of early mornings: Savour the quiet that comes before your household wakes by practising meditation or simply enjoying a hot cup of tea.
Take a long shower: Enjoy a shower after the children have gone to bed to truly enjoy the heat and rejuvenation of the water
Listen to a good Podcast
Podcasts are a great way to stay connected, learn something new, or just be entertained. Listen during the mundane tasks of your day or just reserve a time to lay down on the couch and enjoy this moment for yourself.
The benefits of self-care as a mother resonate long after you’ve released Savasana, or tucked away your favourite book. It’s evident in the way that we parent our children, and our ability to be present with them. It helps to create a well within ourselves that we can draw on when our children need us.
It also helps to lead by example. The old adage, of children watching our every move, is true. They see you, and they want to be like you! Let the example you’re putting forth be a positive one, and one that identifies the importance of self-care, for all members of the household.
The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, quick to anger, or even just a bit off, reflect on the amount of self-care you’ve been experiencing lately, and if you might benefit from some time to yourself. Remember, self-care should never feel like a burden, but a gift to yourself: of time, of clarity, of peace.
