Ah… mom life. The sweet yet constant juggle of multiple responsibilities. Be it your job, kids’ recitals, household chores, or soccer games, you are always left with very little time (and energy) to focus on your own needs. Your self-care practices quickly vanish as you continue with your daily grind.
Even though it may seem like the right thing to do, routinely dismissing your own needs can have an adverse effect on your overall health. It can make you irritable, fatigued, stressed, and susceptible to a full-blown burnout. In order to save your health (and sanity), it’s time to tend to your self-care game.
Motherhood is hard – especially with school ramping up this month. Not sure where to begin with self-care? Here are five simple strategies you can start following right away:
1. Squeeze exercise into your day.
Sticking to your usual workout routine is challenging for busy moms. One way to tackle this issue is to choose outdoor activities that you can do with your kids to stay physically active.For instance, you can go swimming or cycling with them. Or, sign up for dance lessons or a Tai Chi class. Even doing simple exercises together like crunches, jumping jacks, and squat jumps can help you stay fit and energized. Just remember, consistency is key.
2. Take advantage of early mornings.
Maybe this sounds like a cruel and unusual punishment, but one of the best ways to ensure that you don’t miss out on #MeTime is to start your day early. Spending an hour taking care of yourself will set you up to be the mom you strive to be. Not to mention you will get more done everyday! If you spend an hour before your kids are up taking care of yourself, you will be happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. And your whole family will reap the benefits. Make your bed, go for a jog, practice meditation, read a book, or even give yourself a quick hand massage with Angie to start you day.
3. Try smaller self-care techniques.
Let’s be real, soaking in a bubble bath for hours or going to the salon every single day is not feasible when you have so many errands to run. The trick here is to organize self-care in short intervals so you can easily fit it into your already jam packed schedule. For instance, read a book before you go to bed, listen to your go-to podcast while commuting, prepare your favorite meal on a weekend, or meditate for five minutes upon waking up.
4. Invest in your health.
Be completely honest, do you remember when was the last time you went for a full body check-up? Your health and wellbeing are just as important as your family members’. It is essential for you to make time to get your dental exams and go for annual check-ups (that includes important tests like a pap smear and breast exams). It’s also important to be mindful of what you put in your body. Increase your intake of whole foods like lean meats, nuts, fresh fruits, and veggies. Slash your caffeine intake and drink plenty of water! Finally, make sure you’re avoiding skincare and femcare products that contain toxic “forever chemicals” that can lead to cancer, metabolic issues, and low birth weight. Damiva products are always 100% chemical and hormone free.
5. Prioritize your sleep.
Getting adequate sleep is a very basic yet crucial self-care practice. When you are sleeping, you alleviate stress, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen your immune system, and boost your memory, among other things. However, when you regularly miss out on getting good sleep, you impair your cognitive function and you put yourself at risk for serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The bottom line: Don’t cut back on getting good rest! Try integrating Bette – our relaxing all-natural lavender body treatment – into your bedtime routine this September.
Get Started Tomorrow
What are you waiting for?! Before throwing on your superhero mom cape, remember that taking time for yourself will do wonders for your happiness and productivity. Even if it’s just for 15 or 30 minutes, you will begin to notice a massive impact on the quality of your days. You will be more able to handle stress and challenges and you will be more likely to achieve your personal goals.
You deserve it, mama.
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