There’s no job in the world more challenging than raising a child. Although being a parent is incredibly rewarding, there’s no doubt that this is a 24-hour occupation that can leave you feeling exhausted. Whether you’re a new mommy, or you’re a seasoned pro with older kids, it’s crucial to find the time to relax and recharge your batteries. Here are some simple ways to chill out and enjoy some well-deserved ‘me time.’
Exercise
If you’re tired and you can’t remember the last time you had a decent night’s sleep, the last thing you might want to do is put your body through its paces. While going for a run or hitting the gym may not be top of your list of things to do, exercise offers a raft of benefits for moms on the go. Physical activity is proven to lower levels of stress, it makes you feel great, and it’s a wonderful way to enjoy time alone or to socialize if you fancy going to a class. You might feel like you’re low on energy going into a session or when you start out on a jog, but after training, you’ll feel energized and refreshed. If you don’t feel like pushing yourself in a HIIT session or going full throttle on a spin bike, choose an activity that will help you to feel peaceful and calm, for example, yoga, swimming or Pilates. Exercise triggers a natural high, and it’s also a brilliant natural remedy for insomnia.
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Meditation
Meditation is an ancient practice, which has been used to refocus and clear the mind for centuries. The aim is to transport your mind to a place where you feel completely relaxed and at ease. If you’re stressed out, you feel frazzled, or you haven’t had a moment to yourself all day, taking 5 minutes to embrace the peace and enjoy some downtime could get you back on track. If you’re new to meditation, you can attend guided sessions or simply download apps to listen to on your phone or tablet. Meditation is something you can do anywhere, and you can call upon it as and when you desire.
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Creative activities
Most people think of creative activities as fun hobbies, but they offer a lot more. Scientific research suggests that pastimes such as writing, painting, drawing and doing arts and crafts can make you feel happier, reduce stress and anxiety and increase your brainpower. If you enjoy being creative, but your hobbies have taken a back seat since your kids arrived on the scene, devote a little time every week to exercising your creative talents. Dust off your pencils, invest in some new supplies for painting and check out the range of Graphic 45 products online if you enjoy making cards for birthdays and special occasions. It’s fun to do creative activities with kids, but it’s also hugely beneficial to have some time alone to enjoy pastimes that you love.
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Hanging out with friends
Human beings are sociable creatures by nature, and the vast majority of us feel better when we have interaction with family and friends. If your reunions have turned into playdates over the years, and you usually spend your time running around after kids or catching up on how the children are doing when you see your friends, take time to arrange some adult-only meetings. Make dinner reservations, catch up properly over lunch or arrange to meet up for a yoga class or a leisurely walk on the beach. Spend time with people who make you feel good. As you get older, and your priorities change, you might find that your circle becomes smaller and you focus on true friends that are there for you through thick and thin.
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Run a bath
When you’re a mom, there may only be a very small window of opportunity to enjoy peace and quiet and take a moment to rest. If you can’t leave the house, and you’ve only got 15 minutes until you have to resume parenting responsibilities, run a bubble bath, light a candle, and kick back and relax.
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Being a mom can be hard work, and rest periods are few and far between. When you’re on the go all the time, and you feel like you don’t have time to yourself, it’s essential to schedule in breaks to enable you to recover and protect your wellbeing. Exercise as much as you can, spend time with friends, be creative, and ask friends and family members to help you out so that you can enjoy some downtime.