Mothering can be exciting and demanding at the same time. Your kids are the center of your world, however, it is important that you take care of yourself. Self care for moms is an issue in most families because moms are expected to do everything without breaking a sweat. This leads to burnouts and even mental breakdowns. Here are 10 easy ways to improve self care for moms.
1. Have Alone Time
As a mother, the most important time is when you are with your children. However, some alone time away from each other can be beneficial.
Mother can become overstimulated due to constant interaction with their kids. Sensory overload can cause severe anxiety. Children are overwhelming and demanding.
Have someone you trust watch your kids so that you can have alone time. Doing this will allow you to rejuvenate and be at your best when they return.
2. Keep Up With Personal Maintenance
Being fashionable is near impossible when you are a full time mother and have so much to do. It is more convenient to grab some jogging pants and tennis shoes and leave out the door.
However taking more pride in your appearance is a great way to improve self care. Just because you are a mom doesn’t mean that you can not look your best.
Make time to go shopping so you can have clothes that are cute and comfortable. Shopping is also a great way to relax and relieve stress. It is also important to maintain your hair.
Make sure to maintain your hair by washing it, clipping your ends, and styled. When you look your best, it can help you feel your best.
3. Have Mom Friends
No one understands a mom’s struggle like another mom. Find some mom friends that can relate to you. Having someone who actually deals with children on the regular basis can relate to you better than someone who is not as hands on.
Mom friends are good for grabbing a cup of coffee, playdates, or just being a listening ear when you need it. There are plenty of social media groups where you can find reliable mom friends.
4. Keep A Journal
Days run together while being a mother. Journaling can help you reflect and relax. It can help you keep track of your days and thoughts. Whenever you feel like not talking to someone, it’s important that you still express yourself in a healthy manner. Writing allows for you to do this without judgement. Not everyone understands the toll that mothering entails. Having a journal allows you to express yourself in a judgement free environment.
5. Ask For Help
Most mothers have that “give it all to me” approach when caring for their kids. They believe that they should be able to handle the constant stress and demand of parenting all by themselves. This is a mindset that must be changed. Some people believe that mothering isn’t a job. I know that first hand it is a full time job with no breaks in between. It is okay to ask for help. It does not mean that you are less than a mother because you can’t do it all by yourself.
6. Catch up On Your Rest
One way to improve self care for moms is allowing them to getting some rest. Moms learn quickly how to work while being sleep deprived. It can be helpful when you have a full schedule but it can also backfire. Sleep deprivation causes agitation, aggressiveness, and anxiety. If you find yourself having a short fuse with your family, it may be time to take a long deserved nap. All the chores and errands will still be there when you wake up so don’t pressure yourself to do more on little to no sleep.
7. Stay Active
In order to chase after your growing kids and keep up with them, it is important that you add exercise to your day. I know it may seem like adding exercise is one more thing to do in your busy day but it has its benefits. Exercising can relax your body and mind. It increases your endurance helping you to stay fit and at a healthy weight.
8. Take A Break From Social Media
Social media does have its perks but it can also be a stressor. Constant strolling causes unnecessary stress and anxiety which can have a negative impact on how you care for yourself and your kids. You might also find yourself comparing yourself to other mothers. This will decrease your self-esteem and make you question your ability to be a parent. Everyone’s stroll through parenthood is different so make sure you stay focused on your own path.
9. Meditate
Meditation is an easy and effective way to take care of your mental health. You can meditate anywhere and for as long as you want. Alone time is rare when you are a mother. But if you find yourself with a little spare time, find a quiet place and meditate. Close your eyes and clear your mind. Concentrate on your breathing and allow your body to relax. Doing this a few times a day is beneficial by lowering your stress levels.
10. Keep A Positive Mindset
Staying positive is sometimes hard to do when it seems like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders with no help. But it is important that you stay positive. Have a list of positive affirmations that you can say when you need to be uplifted. The most important thing that you should focus on is that you are a great mother and that you are doing your best despite how you feel. As a mother we tend to put too much pressure on ourselves. I learned that setting realistic expectation helped me to become a better a mother and lighten the load of parenthood.