An Easy How To Guide: Self-care For Busy Mums
Are you tired? Run-down? It is time to listen to your body and do something for you!
Mums are busy. There is no denying that fact. Regardless whether they are stay-at-home mums, work-at-home mums or full time working out of the house mum; we are all busy and we all put our family’s needs before our own.
Time for myself? You must be kidding!
After endless days of work, nappies, cleaning and cooking; time poor parents yearn for ‘me time’. Unfortunately it is often hindered by the fact there are not enough hours in the day or no one to mind the kids so you can enjoy it. Well good news – there are easy ways to improve your health and self-care options for busy mums that include the kids. Here is how you can introduce some self-care into your life with minimal effort!
Exercise
This is an obvious one however many women think they need to go to the gym to exercise and since they have no time or cannot afford a membership, don’t bother. This is not 100% right.
Exercise can be done in so many different ways.
• Go for a walk or run – get the blood pumping, burn some energy and get some vitamin D. Your whole body benefits from it.
• Do a park bench workout while your kids are playing.
• Dance – even just around the house while doing your usual chores.
• Gym – if this is an option for you many gyms offer a crèche service so you can work out without having to worry about your kids. *Private health funds also cover some gym membership costs.
Eat well
A healthy diet is crucial in taking care of yourself. The best part about eating well is that your whole family can do it. You should enjoy the food you put in your body though so if you like the occasional chocolate or soft drink, have it. Just keep in mind that they are a ‘sometimes’ food.
Sleep
No one functions well on minimal sleep. This is why it is so important to get a consistent 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Parents struggle with this when they have young children and have to cope with countless nights of broken sleep but when possible get an early night so you can start the day as fresh as possible.
Accept it is what it is
Life isn’t always easy, sometimes it can be tougher than tough. This is why instead of stressing over things beyond your control, you need to just accept the way the situation has unfolded and take each day as it comes. Stress is not good for a person, particularly a parent because children sense the mood.
This also means that you should stop comparing yourself to others. By comparing your life, your appearance, your kids and even your job to another person, you are creating doubt and destroying your confidence. Be who you are and be happy within!
Say no
Mums (and dads) are constantly saying yes. Yes to weekend sports, yes to driving kids to friends’ houses, yes to hosting sleepovers and yes to taking on that extra shift at work. It is time to be selfish and say no! You don’t have to become an unsocial person but it is ok to put yourself first and say no to everyone else once in a while.
Music
Crank the music and dance. Sing as loud as you can. Music relaxes you and puts a smile on your face. It makes the most mundane activities bearable.
Enjoy letting your body get loose and work up a sweat while doing it! Exercise, endorphins and happiness.
Take a break….alone!
Everyone needs a break from time to time and it is perfectly acceptable that you actually do it. Whether it be 5 minutes to enjoy a HOT cup of coffee, going to see a movie or sitting under a tree with a book; sometimes you NEED that break more than you realise. Not to mention it is a break from being touched, parents of young children will know exactly what I’m talking about!
Taking time out of your busy life to look after yourself is crucial for your family and you. It puts your day into perspective, revitalises your mood and is beneficial to your health.
Private health funds offer a wide range of benefits that allows you peace of mind and the freedom to take care of yourself. See how you can benefit here.
What is your self-care tip for other busy mums?
This is an S1 POST.
Ok bloggers, now it is time for you to link up your blog posts with Mummy Mondays!
Please read the linky guidelines –
- Link up ONE of your favourite blog posts for the last week and don’t forget to share the comment love on at least a few other blogs that have linked up.
- Your post doesn’t have to be parenting related, pretty much any post goes.
- Feel free to share my Mummy Mondays button to put the word out there about the linky party…the more the merrier.
I’d have to agree with all of those but that’s not to say I do al of them! I’m very much working on the exercise part. I’d have to agree with time to yourself, that one is so important to me.
I hear you! I know I should be doing all these things but sometimes it is hard to fit them all in. Especially with a new bub.
All good ideas!
Thanks Jody!
Great suggestions Kelly, I have started going to bed early and reading as my me time. Granted, early is ten o’clock for me, but it’s a start.
That’s great Tamara! 10pm is a super early for me as well. I like to enjoy some quiet time after the kids go to bed and usually get a bit of work done and before I know it, it’s after midnight. haha
I think I need to take some notes from my guide!
Oh I hear you and I am no longer a busy mum or grandma…but looking after me & hub in our retirement years can be just as challenging. I think it is always a good time to remember that if we cant look after ourselves first then we may end up being no good to look after anyone else. Denyse
I think regardless how many or how little amount of people you have to look after, you should still make time to look after yourself. I agree with you in that if we don’t we won’t be able to look after others.
Great post. I’m rather late to the Monday link up party. I’ve been needing some time out to recharge the batteries. Feeling more than a bit flat with hubby away at sea.
Oh I hear you! Time out is definitely needed. I hope hubby comes home soon! It is tough when they are away for long periods of time.
I like the accept what it is. I have one child that stresses a lot and often I say to him, there are things you can’t change so stop worrying about those things and concentrate on the things we can change.
I’m so glad you can relate. Sometimes the stress caused by not being able to accept is more harmful than the concern itself.
Taking a break away from the kids every once in a while is the only thing that keeps me sane. Great list!
I agree completely and unfortunately it doesn’t happen anywhere near enough!
Great post. I agree with all of these points but I think acceptance is one of the most important.
I agree! Once you reach acceptance you are less stressed, which ultimately leads to a happier healthier you.
All great ideas! Like most mums I put my own well being to the bottom of the list. I do take time out for myself but tend to use that time to visit friends. Maybe I should start to exercise! thanks for the reminder.
I am the same and need to move my needs higher up on the list!
I love being able to exercise with my kids – they see me setting the example of being healthy 🙂
Yes being a good example allows your children to see that it is a part of life. An important one at that!
So true. Sometimes it’s hard to balance these all. Top of my list is I always try and get to bed early.
I try and get to bed early as often as possible but find sometimes find it difficult when there are things that need to be done. Still learning the balance!
To do the exercise one…I’m cheating, it only happens twice per week, but we park up the street (very steep driveway) and walk 1km to school. Miss 5 loves it. Why only twice per week? Well, Master 3 walks about 10 paces then needs to be carried…so we only do it on his preschool days.
hahaha that makes perfect sense! Two days are better than none!
Love the dancing tip. Music makes everything good!
It sure does!
Really great tips! I will have to try some of them 😉
Thanks Kellie. I just love how easy they are to implement!