Mothers take care of everyone else, but often forget to do some self-care on themselves. If this is you, here a few simple self-care tips!
by Atomic Mommy Editors
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If you are a busy mother, then you may find that you continually put yourself last. You may feel as though everyone else comes before you, and that you simply have no time to look out for yourself.
If this sounds like you, then you are not alone. So many mothers are in the exact same position as you, but there are things that you can do to try and turn things around. Follow this guide for simple self-care tips that could boost your mood.
#1 Create An Early Morning Routine
If you can get up a little bit earlier and if you can create a solid and meaningful routine, then this can really help you out. Just by waking up one hour earlier each day, you may find that you have more time in the day things done.
If you are a night owl or have a baby at home, this may not be as simple as it sounds. A good rule of thumb is to sleep when the baby sleeps. And if you are a night owl, then create a sleeping pattern that fits your lifestyle.
The key to success is consistency with your actions–this will help you create something that works for you. Don’t forget to fill your new free time with things that ultimately mean something to you. Try and get ahead on one of your work-related projects, or check off a few items from your wish list. By focusing on small tasks like this, you can then help yourself get ahead in life.
#2 Look Good and Feel Good
Looking good is different for everyone. Some people love to wear a lot of make-up, but other people hate that kind of stuff. If possible, you need to look good in a way that breeds positivity inside you, about yourself. Put on your favorite pair of jeans. Give your hair a new do or cut. Take yourself for a fresh manicure, or facial.
Focusing on doing these things for yourself will spread these self-care habits to your children. Your efforts will teach them to spend time on themselves when they need it, and that they should treat their bodies with love and kindness. And that’s a good thing.
If you are ready to start incorporating more look good, feel good types of self-care into your morning routine, then be sure to try Aesop as they have a huge range of great products available.
#3 Carve Out Time for Yourself
This can be super difficult when you have kids, and it does require a lot of planning. That being said, you need to make sure that you treat yourself well. Time for yourself should not involve you trying to prepare your kids’ packed lunches and it should not involve you cleaning.
You need to carve out time for yourself, either each day or a few times a week, for your mental health’s well-being. Whether that’s flipping through a magazine, taking a nap, or calling your friend for a chat. And if taking time for yourself seems too hard, try to remember who you were before kids. You deserve to attend to your own wants and needs.
#4 Endorphins=Happy People
Elle Woods famously taught all young ladies, “Exercise gives endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” Obviously no one wants to shoot their partners, but the saying does have merit. If you’re not happy then you can’t be miserable, and miserable people do miserable things.
Exercise is important for boosting your mood, your outward appearance, and your internal feelings. This doesn’t mean that you should be hitting the gym for an hour a day. Regular exercise is about moving your body around, in a way that feels good to you, several times per week.
But if time is somewhat tight for you, then exercise is probably not on your radar. So instead of over-committing to a fitness regime, try smaller goals that are totally attainable. Park your car a bit further than usual when you’re at the supermarket or walk the aisles more than once. When you drop you kids off at school, try parking a few blocks away and walking them to school. When you first rise in the morning, try a gentle stretch or a sunrise yoga pose. If you can complete even a 5 minute walk each day, you will feel much more energetic, and you may even find that it benefits your mental health more than you realize.
#5 Define Priorities
It is just not possible for you to give 100% of yourself to everything, all the time. If you do, then this will come at a heavy cost. You will feel overwhelmed, stressed, and fatigued. You may even start to see physical symptoms like loss of hair, stomach cramps, and possible flutters in your heart rate. All of this comes from not defining what’s important for you to handle personally, and what’s not. And if you’re not careful, you could land yourself in the hospital with a panic attack or anxiety attack.
Instead of trying to push yourself in every possible direction, you need to shift your thoughts to what is truly important to you. You need to take the time to commit to what ultimately matters. To find out, ask yourself these questions: (1) What do you want more of in your life?, (2) What do you want less of?, (3) What activities make you feel at peace?, (4) What’s important to do right now and what can wait until a later time?.
Be honest with yourself when answering these questions. If you are, then you will find your work load lightening, and positive lifestyle changes happening.
The Takeaway
You should know that life happens in seasons, and motherhood is a very busy season. This does not mean that you should come last. And while motherhood does mean sacrificing parts of your wants and needs, it doesn’t mean you have to give up everything. It simply means that you have to define what is important to you. So remember, a happier you gives your kids a happier mom.
We hope you liked our article! What are some self-care tips that works for you?
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