Mom.... Just take a little time for you!

As moms, we are always running the Mommython. We are often called to be the chauffeurs, chefs, teachers, tutors, nurses, and psychologists. It’s not that dads are incapable, but as women, we often take on these roles due to our nurturing nature. We nurture spouses or partners, children, parents, and friends. Sometimes we work a job outside the home, and we nurture there too! The one person we forget to nurture is ourselves. Here are five reasons we should also take care of ourselves.

Relaxation

Stress is not suitable for your body. If you hold in stressors too long and do not take care of yourself, you will start to feel the physical effects. Physical effects of stress can include headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, irritability, and depression. As a mom this can come on strong and hard, that’s why it is important that you take a breather. Take a 30-minute meditation session, there are may apps out there like iAwake, Calm or Aura, that you can help reset your mind.

Stimulation/Interaction

Your brain needs stimulation. We as moms need interaction with other women or other moms. Taking time for yourself can be stimulating. Joining a book club, dinner with friends, reading a magazine, and learning new skills can invigorate your intellect. Your brain needs more than family and children to capture its attention.

Growth

Taking time for yourself can allow you to pray, meditate, reflect, or plan for new things. It can simply be a quiet time in the morning or evening to do these things, or pick up a good self-help book such as Rest, Refocus, Recharge: A Guide for Optimizing Your Life.

Taking this time will allow you to learn more about yourself, but you can also grow as a friend, mother, spouse, partner, or family member. You learn to listen to your needs and others’ requests.

Health

Your health will improve with relaxation, but it can also help you not to develop bad habits. Moms who take more time for themselves are often able to cope with changes and life’s frustrations better. They are in a better place mentally so that they can be in a better position physically as well. Develop a daily workout routine, try a daily walk or exercise program such as a home based program that allows you to still be close to home, these type of routines are often used as mom’s time away. This is certainly also good for the body!

You Deserve It!

You spend so much time taking care of others that you leave yourself out. This leads to burnout, resentment, and frustration. Why do you think you need a reason? If everyone else needs a caregiver, why don’t you? You should take time for yourself because humans need to recover, and you deserve a break.

Final Thoughts

You are just as important as everyone else. You have the right—no, the obligation—to take care of yourself. You do not need to take care of everyone else 24/7, lean on your partner or outside help to make this time available to you. You are just as important!!!!

If you want to know what you can do, check this list out! Let us know your favorite!

Me Time Ideas

• A pedicure- A quick pedicure every few weeks is often an excellent relaxing time to talk to friends, family members, or even strangers. Enjoy being away and being pampered.

• Read- Reading is a great way to spend just a few minutes on yourself each day. How many books could you read in a year if you just spend thirty minutes a day reading, there are ways to get new book titles without having to collect a library of books?

• Journaling- Sometimes, you need to get your thoughts on paper or out of your head. Consider a journal- paper, electronic, or voice recorded- to let your feelings out. Sometimes it can help you get clarity.

• Take a walk- Walking is excellent exercise, but you do not even need to do this at a brisk pace. A short walk outside can sometimes be enough to clear your head and give you some time away from the daily chatter.