Taking care of your mind and body is so important, but when you start to have children, we as mothers tend to put our needs last. There never seems to be enough time in the day to even think about having "me time" when you are juggling kids, work and a home. 

But in the long run, you are doing yourself more harm than good by dismissing your self-care. It can make you irritable, fatigued, stressed, and susceptible to a full-blown burnout, which nobody wants! 

So where do you begin? Well, firstly, you need to start by overcoming your sense of guilt most mothers get when they take time to themselves. Taking an hour out of the day for yourself will not cause any harm to your children. If you have a partner then organise a time when one partner is spending time with the children while the other is doing whatever they need to do on their own. If you do not have a partner, wait until your children go to bed, ask a family member, like grandma, to help out!

To help you kick off your self-care mindset, check out these five simple self-care ideas and activities to make yourself a priority.

1. Exercise 

Exercise at least three days a week, whether it's a class in your gym, a run around the neighbourhood or an at-home work out, move your body! Exercise not only will help you stay healthy physically but exercise releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood, reduce your stress and anxiety.

Having a social life as a mother can be very difficult, but you need to make time to hang out with your friends. Try and schedule a social gathering at least one month, you can even plan a social gathering with other parents so the children can have a play date while you do too! During this time with Covid-19, we can't visit our friends and family, so this tip is SO important, make time to video call them, even if its while you are cooking, or doing the laundry! 

3. Relaxation

You work hard, and you deserve to kick back and relax! Take some time to do something that relaxes you, whether it’s morning meditation, a bath in the evening or reading a book before you go to bed. All these things will help you calm your mind and help defuse any stress you may be experiencing. 

 

 

4. Planning

It's easy to say you are going to take time for yourself, but writing down on a calendar and setting a schedule with your partner and family, will help ensure you get this time. 

5. Take Up Something You Love

As we get older, and when we start a family, we tend to forget about hobbies we used to love doing when we had more free time. Take a class, join a book club, take up a sport you use to enjoy! Consider personal hobbies you use to do like journaling, drawing or DIY crafts. 

During this time of staying home due to Covid-19, we are spending more time inside and in close quarters with our immediate family. Reflecting on your self-care and what you think would benefit you, can help you through this uncertain time and help ensure you are mentally and physically healthy.

By taking care of yourself and taking time to do something you love and makes you happy, will help you be an even better mum. Your positivity and happiness will show and enable you to be more present with your family and less stressed out. 

Love from, 

A proud mother of 2!