When you’re a busy mom, it’s hard to make time for yourself. If you’re feeling rundown, neglected, or exhausted, it’s a sure sign that you need some self-care. While it’s easy to feel guilty about prioritizing your own needs when you’re a mom, it’s important to remember that enhancing your own wellbeing enables you to be a better parent. With this in mind, take a look at these five wellness tips for exhausted moms:
1. Take The Pressure Off
Whether you’re focusing on raising a family or combining being a mom with a professional career, there is no need to put yourself under an excessive amount of pressure. Differentiating between ‘must-do’ and ‘nice-to-do’ tasks will help you to realize that you don’t always need to get through everything on your schedule. If less urgent chores are overlooked for a day or two in lieu of taking some time out for yourself, the benefits certainly outweigh the costs.
2. Incorporate Some Exercise Into Your Week
When you’re feeling overtired, exercise might be the last thing you feel like doing. However, physical activity can actually boost your energy levels, improve your mood, and enhance your confidence. If you can’t face hitting the gym, try a home workout or a simple walk around the block. Taking an infant out in a stroller or going on a family bike ride is a great way to integrate regular exercise into your routine while spending quality time with your kids.
3. Rejuvenate Your Skin
Tiredness and exhaustion show up on the skin quickly, which is why you might notice dark circles under your eyes, dryness, or blemishes when you’re feeling rundown. Practicing a good skincare regime can help but it’s easy to overlook cleansing, toning, and polishing when you’re shattered at the end of the day.
To keep your skin looking great, book a facial treatment and reward yourself with a little time out from mom duties. With facials and cosmetic treatments aimed to improve your confidence, you’ll be surprised at the impact a little pampering can have on your self-esteem.
4. Prioritize Sleep
When you aren’t getting enough sleep, your physical, mental, and emotional well-being can suffer. While you might be only too aware of how important sleep is, your kids might not have the same idea! If your kids are keeping you up at night, prioritize fixing their sleep routine so that you can get some much-needed shut-eye. Whether you choose to co-sleep, sleep train, or work with a sleep consultant, getting your kids’ bedtime routine off to a fine art will give you the opportunity to relax in the evenings and wake up feeling refreshed.
5. Start Meal Prepping
Preparing and cooking a nutritious meal at the end of a hectic day can be challenging, but meal prepping drastically reduces the time it takes to eat healthily. When you end up consuming junk food or snacking instead of eating a full meal, it can zap your energy. With a homecooked, balanced meal ready to be popped into the microwave or thrown into the oven, you can optimize your nutritional intake and reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen.
Making Time For Yourself When You’re A Parent
Having a well-established support network can mean it’s easier for you to make time for yourself when you’re a parent. From friends and family to babysitters and au pairs, getting the help you need can transform your day-to-day routine. When you can incorporate self-care and wellness tips into your schedule, you can enhance your wellbeing, create a happier home, and feel more confident as a parent.
*collaborative post