How to Fit Daily Self-Care Into A Busy Mum’s Lifestyle
Do you get frustrated by the thought that your busy mum lifestyle does not allow you to give adequate time to yourself? Are you yearning to chill out? Do you wonder how you can be joyous and enthusiastic again?
Well, your best clue is that you need to indulge in self-care. Now self-care is a broad term. It means that you should eat healthily, have enough sleep, take out time to exercise and meditate. If you are still confused how you can manage all this in your tight schedule, here are a few hints and tips.
I am a single mummy of two gorgeous girls aged 10 & 11. We have been on our own for the past 9 years. I used to be an International Project Manager, before starting my own business. My mission is to help others increase their happiness and positivity through increasing holistic health awareness.
Taking your first step towards meditation
When you have made up your mind to take the plunge into self-care, then the best way to start is to opt for meditation. When you begin to indulge in meditation, then first you need to find your happy place in the house. A quiet corner of the house that helps you remain peaceful. It is also vital that you should figure out the right moment to indulge in meditation. This should be a time when you are peaceful and uninterrupted. For new, busy mums, an ideal moment is early morning when your baby is asleep. The good news is that you need not give hours to this activity. Sometimes even 5 minutes are enough. However, you need to commit to the fact that you will give these 5 minutes to yourself on a daily basis.
When you meditate, make sure that you go for deep breathes for fully relaxing your diaphragm. These deep breaths will eventually calm your mind. Let us explore a miraculous five minutes meditation technique here:
When you sit for meditation set your timer. Sit or lie down in your comfortable position because this is the most useful way to replenish your energy. You can sit cross-legged or you can sit on a chair as well with your feet rooted on the ground. Make it a point to check on your posture. You should sit with your back straight. Moreover, your jaw, neck and shoulders should be relaxed. Just do a quick mental scan of your body to make sure that there are no pockets of tension in your body.
You can meditate with your eyes closed or open. When you meditate with your eyes closed that is referred to as mindfulness. It is more a psychological process that draws your attention towards external and internal experiences that occur in the present. If you decide to meditate with your eyes open, then you need to find a point that is about three feet in front of you and you should be focused on this point. Whether you decide to open or close your eyes, the real rule is to stick with the process. All you need to do is connect with yourself in this 5 minute activity. I find that focusing on a candle flame works best for me.
If you would like to try a guided meditation (I do this one with my eyes closed) you might like to try this one, which is only ten minutes long.
Easy physical exercises that you can try
If you feel that you are having a race with the time and do not have the time for long workouts, then sometimes a simple stroll outside the house will be enough to relax you. You will get a chance to experience fresh air and clear your head. You can even take the baby for a walk at the same time. I used to do this just after breakfast when my daughter was having her morning nap. If you have older kids, you could try a class that you can take the kids along to such as family class such as: Fanny’s BOOM! class on a Saturday morning.
The tried and tested trick to getting enough sleep
Now it is quite a hard quest for a mother to get enough sleep. However, you need to permit yourself to have your moment of relaxation. The best thing to do is get a quick nap when your baby is asleep rather than being enticed to finish up with the house chores. When you get enough sleep, your body will be equipped to handle the hectic schedule the next day.
Go for real meals that will energise you
Busy mums make a lot of sacrifices especially when it comes to their eating routine. They get into the habit of grazing all day. However, you should turn to healthier alternatives. For example, you can have nuts or fresh fruits. The best part is that these things do not require any preparation or cooking time but are still healthy to eat. Plan your meals every weekend and try cooking ahead of time. This will keep you stress-free during the rest of the week as well. Busy mothers have a hard-time remaining hydrated as well because you are so engrossed in running after your kids. Well, a good approach is to keep a water bottle near you at all time. You should also make it a point not to miss out on your vitamins because they are vital for filling in the nutritional gaps that you may encounter in your diet.
Try out these self-care techniques, and you will be convinced that they do work out. All you need to do is remain consistent with your practice and you will feel the results coming your way. Remember if you are healthier, then you will be able to take care of your child in a much better way. The positive vibes within you will be able to help you to go the extra mile for your children and family as well.
For more help with nutrition contact Stef at fannysrealfood@gmail.com.
Experimenting with the miraculous healing powers of Reiki
There are times when stress is beyond you because of the countless nights that you spent up with your little one and managing the housework is quite hard as well. This is the time when you should try Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese technique that proves to be quite useful when it comes to stress reduction. It has this power to promote healing and is based on the concept that negative life force energy can flow through your body. This technique treats your mind, emotions and body as well. The best thing about this method is that it is quite safe to try out as it can only have a positive effect on the body. If you are lucky enough to have parents or friends who may help out for and hour and a half, with your child/children, why not book in for a blissful Reiki treatment, completely relax and recharge your batteries?
The benefits of Reiki
- Strengthens the body’s own healing ability and rebalances its energy
- Promotes total peace and calm
- Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
- Relieves muscle tension and pain
- Helps spiritual growth and promotes emotional clearing
You can find out more about Reiki here;
Lastly, another tool which helps is Gratitude, try to think about the positive things in your life. You can even note them down in a Gratitude Journal. Start off with one or two things you are grateful for, which only takes a few minutes. It does help to lift your spirits and help you feel happier when times seem tough.
Penelope Silver
Reiki Master and Accredited EFT Practitioner
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