7 Tips for Busy Moms to Practice Self Care
There’s no denying that being a mom is hard work. Not only do you have to take care of your children, but you also have to take care of the home, work, and maybe even school. Even if you have someone within the home to help you, it can be easy to get bogged down by everything that you have to do and forget to take care of yourself. However, it’s important to practice self-care, even as a busy mom.
Here are 7 tips for busy moms to practice self-care:
1. Get enough sleep: This may seem impossible with a crying baby or a toddler who won’t stay in bed, but it’s important to try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If possible, take a nap during the day when your child(ren) are napping.
2. Eat healthy: It’s easy to resort to unhealthy eating habits when you’re short on time, but it’s important to try to eat nutritious meals and snacks. This will give you more energy to get through the day and help you feel better overall. Some allergies can be hurdles when attempting to prepare healthy meals - but there are many groups on social media and websites that can aid in your search.
3. Exercise: Even if you can’t make it to the gym every day, there are plenty of ways to fit in some exercise at home. Taking a brisk walk around the neighborhood or doing an at-home workout video are both great options. Or, you can use your playtime with little ones to get exercise in. Dance around the kitchen or do squats and challenge your littles to join you.
4. Take breaks: When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to yourself to relax and rejuvenate. Take a hot bath, read your favorite book, or just take a few deep breaths.
5. Connect with friends and family: Sometimes all you need is a good conversation with someone who understands what you’re going through. Connecting with friends and family can help reduce stress and make you feel more supported.
6. Seek professional help: If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. There is no shame in admitting that you need extra support and there are plenty of resources available to help you feel better.
7. Practice self-compassion: Lastly, be kind to yourself. You are doing the best that you can and that is good enough. Cut yourself some slack. You got this!
Set Boundaries
We all have boundaries. They are what make us who we are and help us function in the world. Our boundaries protect our physical and emotional well-being, and when we have healthy boundaries, we are able to nurture our relationships.
However, sometimes our boundaries can become unhealthy. We might have boundaries that are too rigid, or we might not have any boundaries at all. This can lead to us feeling overwhelmed, taken advantage of, or even abused.
It is important to be aware of our boundaries and to set them in a way that is healthy for us. Here are some tips for setting boundaries:
1. Know your limits. This is the first and most important step in setting boundaries. You need to know what you can and cannot handle. Pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and body when you are around certain people or in certain situations. If you start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or physically uncomfortable, those are signs that you need to set a boundary.
2. Be assertive. Once you know your limits, it is important to be assertive in setting boundaries. This means saying "no" when you need to, even if it is difficult. It also means speaking up for yourself and not letting others take advantage of you. Assertiveness can be hard, but it is important to remember that you have a right to set boundaries and to take care of yourself.
3. Be direct. It is important to be direct when communicating your boundaries to others. This means being clear about what you will and will not tolerate. For example, if you don't want to be hugged, say so directly. If you need more personal space, tell the person "Respect my personal space please." It can also be helpful to give a reason for your boundary, but it is not mandatory.
4. Be consistent. Once you have set a boundary, it is important to stick to it. This might mean saying "no" more than once, or even walking away from a situation or person if necessary. It is also important not to make exceptions to your boundaries. If you do, it will become more difficult to stick to them in the future.
5. Give yourself time and space. Setting boundaries can be hard, and it might take some time to get used to them. Be patient with yourself and give yourself the time and space you need to adjust. It is also important to remember that you can always change your boundaries if they are not working for you.
If you are having difficulty setting or maintaining boundaries, it might be helpful to talk to a therapist or counselor who can help you explore the issue further.
Make Time for Friends
With doing all as you can as a wife and mother, it can be easy to let your social life fall by the wayside. You might feel like you don't have time for friends, but it's important to make time for them anyway. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Friends provide much-needed support.
As a mom, you might feel like you're juggling a million different balls. You're the one who has to keep everything together, and it can be a lot of pressure. Having friends to talk to can help you let off some steam and feel supported in what you're doing.
2. Friends can help you relax.
Moms need to have some time to relax, and friends can help with that. Spending time with friends can help you forget about all the stress of being a mom for a little while and just enjoy yourself.
3. Friends can give you a break from your kids.
It's important to love and spend time with your kids, but sometimes you need a break from them. Spending time with friends gives you some much-needed time away from your kids so you can recharge.
4. Friends can give you new perspectives.
When you're stuck in the day-to-day grind of being a mom, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Talking to friends can help you get new perspectives on things and see the world in a different way. Everyone thinks in different ways and sometimes hearing the different perspectives can give you new paths to take on your parenting journey!
5. Friends provide laughter and fun.
Let's face it, being a mom can be tough. Sometimes you need a good laugh, and that's where friends come in. They can help you see the lighter side of things and remind you that life is supposed to be fun.
So, if you're feeling like you don't have time for friends, think again. Making time for friends is an important part of being a mom, and it's something you should definitely make time for.
We're all out here trying to do our best and have a good time! You're doing a great job on your obligations - don't forget that you're important too Mama!
🧡Shine Bright, Kayla