The Busy Mom’s Guide to Self Care
We give so much of ourselves to our bosses, clients, and careers and often lack selfcare. However as #MotivatedMoms, we also spend our days giving to our children, spouses, fur-babies, our homes, and everything else in between.
So it’s undeniably true when they say, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Our energy depletes, and we become exhausted when we don’t allow our bodies to recharge. The result? We become burnt out. Now, the World Health Organization has even recognizes “burnout” as a legitimate medical condition “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
We get it. Girl, you’re busy, and that’s a wonderful thing. It means you have an abundant life with people to love and goals to work toward. But how often do you press the pause button on your crazy, busy, beautiful life? How often do you selfcare? Mommy do you fill up your cup before it turns into all around burnout?
I want to give you a few selfcare tips to keep you fully charged and feelin’ good!
Selfcare Tip – You are what you eat
So this is another saying we hear all the time, but don’t put much thought into. We definitely should though, because what we eat can have a major impact on how we feel physically. In turn produce negative thoughts and a negative mindset. Yes, selfcare is healthy eating.
As busy moms, it’s common sense to opt for what’s easiest, but those options aren’t always the best for our overall health. Start by writing down what you eat every day. Throughout the week see how you felt at the end of the day. At the end of the week, review your notes and look for any patterns. Ask yourself where you can make changes? Which foods are making you feel ill or sluggish, and where you are lacking nutrients. Check out this guide if you’re having trouble making nutritious meals for yourself and the family.
Selfcare Tip – Sweat away the stress
Aside from eating with nutrition in mind, getting in regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to selfcare physically and mentally. I’m sure I’m not the only one to feel like gym workouts can get boring QUICK. Especially as busy moms, motivating yourself to lift weights or walk the treadmill after a long day of work is almost laughable.
The trick is to find a way to keep yourself accountable and create variety for yourself. A great way to do this is to find a group exercise class you enjoy. Check Groupon for cheap trial offers at different locations near you. You can switch between classes like kickboxing, Zumba, and yoga until you find a workout that you actually want to make time for. Whatever you decide, it helps to find a facility or class with like-minded members to form relationships with – they may even inspire you!
Many places offer a kids zone where there is staff on hand to watch your children while you work out. But don’t be afraid to ask your spouse to take charge of the household a couple of nights a week so you can get your workout on, girl.
Self-care Tip- Turn your commute into “me time”
How often do you have time alone? I honestly believe selfcare is spending time alone. If you’re like most busy moms, the answer is almost never. Don’t overlook those free moments we take for granted like our daily commute. Your drive to and from work is the perfect opportunity to listen to a motivational or entertaining podcast, to relax and reflect, or to release stress by jamming out to your favorite songs. Never mind the other drivers that may catch you in the middle of your personal concert; get your inner Beyoncé on and live your best life!
Selfcare Tip – Take care of your personal health
How is your personal health? Be honest, girl. Are there little things about your health that have you worried, but you keep sweeping them under the rug, so you don’t have to deal with them?
Personal health encompasses a multitude of different areas, including the effort you put into yourself both physically and mentally. When is the last time you made a dentist appointment or scheduled a physical? Keeping up to date on routine health care can help to prevent some serious medical issues like breast or skin cancer, heart disease, and stroke which are some of the most common diseases to affect women.
It is so important to listen to your body, especially if you are experiencing the side effects of being under constant stress like migraines or hair loss. Take a few minutes out of your day and research these health issues. Many times, you’ll find that there are prescription hair loss products, vitamins, fruits, veggies, or medications that will help manage those concerns.
Personal health means putting time and effort into yourself. If you’ve been feeling too busy to put yourself together every morning, check out my 7 Tips for Morning Beauty post.
Fill your cup up, mama! Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you can’t find time daily for you to be fully present with yourself. Start by making one small change at a time. The more you put into yourself, the more you’ll find you have to give and with a positive attitude at that. If you have any tips or suggestions, I would love to hear them! Drop them in the comments below.
[latoyia]
Whenever I wait for my son at soccer practice, I bring a treat…a good book or my favorite chocolate to turn it into me time.
These are all such great tips. Self care is so important to me. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! They really are important
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I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Wonderful! Thanks for checking in.
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.