The Ultimate Self Care Guide for Busy Moms
Research has shown that women today are less happy than they have been over the past 40 years. One theory as to why is that we try to juggle too much and don’t leave enough time for ourselves.
This can lead to chronic stress, which can result in more serious health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, digestive problems, weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, or stroke.
It is not selfish to take care of yourself. In fact, it is essential.
Oftentimes as women, wives, and moms, we put ourselves last. We do everything for everyone else and neglect our own wellbeing. Ever heard the phrase, “You can’t pour water from an empty pitcher?” It’s true. You need to fill yourself up and take better care of yourself in order to be of use to others.
In this blog, I want to share some simple ways to take care of yourself. These are not things that take tons of time, so you can do them regardless of how busy you are. Remember, you can’t help others if you are not complete yourself.
Get sleep.
Most adults need 7-8 hours of sleep. A good night’s sleep helps to keep your mind and body healthy. I used to find myself going to sleep too late at night because I needed my own downtime after the kids went to bed. Either try to get the kids to bed earlier or have them read in bed so you can have your downtime but still get to sleep early enough to have a good night’s sleep.
Exercise.
There are too many benefits of daily exercise to list them all here! But just to name a few, it can improve mood, decrease risk of disease, strengthen bones, improve brain function, decrease stress, improve weight loss, and increase energy levels. Be sure to find exercises that you enjoy so that it doesn’t feel like yet another thing you have to do. Learn to love it! Go for walks, do yoga, ride bikes with your kids—there are so many options, so find something you love. It is not about time; it is about priorities.
Take care of your physical appearance.
I spend 5-10 minutes each night doing my skin care regimen. I take the time and I enjoy pampering myself in this way. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and needs some TLC. A great skincare routine will improve your appearance, boost confidence, and slow down the aging process.
Treat yourself to a massage.
Besides the fact that it just feels amazing, massage has many benefits. It reduces stress, improves circulation, reduces pain and fatigue, eliminates toxins, improves sleep, and enhances immunity. I used to think it was too self indulgent, but now I try to get a massage once a month.
Meet up with a friend.
Sometimes a phone call or a lunch date with a friend is all we need to refuel. Friendships are important and help us to feel a sense of purpose and belonging. Too often we tell ourselves that we are too busy and don’t have time. Taking one hour to meet up with or talk to a friend can improve our self-confidence, happiness, and reduce stress—not to mention it is just fun!
Say no.
Too many women feel the need to say yes to everything. We don’t want to hurt someone else’s feelings or we want to be liked and accepted. But often when we say yes to everything, we end up feeling resentment and regret. I have learned that by saying no to things I am not excited and passionate about, I am saying yes to myself. You have to do what fills YOU up, not everyone else.
Journal.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like my mind is going a thousand miles per minute. Journaling allows you to get thoughts out of your head and onto paper. It can help to release pent-up negative emotions and frustrations. It can help to reduce stress and boost your mood so write away!
Ultimately, self-care is essential and needs to be non-negotiable for you.
Taking time to care for yourself isn’t selfish.
It improves mood, decreases stress, and will make you more productive and better able to serve others in the long run.
So start practicing your new self-care routine today.
Be sure to check out my Blog on How to Overcome Mom Guilt!
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