Let's Talk About Self-Care!

Does anyone else feel exhausted this time of year?! It’s been months of holidays, the Christmas cookie adrenaline rush has worn off, and it is cold & gloomy. Being a toddler mom, I am always tired & often overwhelmed. I have decided to prioritize self care this year, and I invite you to join me! 

I know how hard it is to take time for yourself as a parent, when it seems like someone always needs something from you. Your needs are important too. I am going to share my favorite ways to incorporate self care into my busy mama schedule & I hope you can use these tips too! 

1. Keep it simple: I know the thought of taking time for self care can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a big elaborate thing. Self care is how you maintain your mental, physical and emotional health. One of the main goals of a self care routine is to manage daily stress. Take the time to do something that makes you feel relaxed, happy, recharged. It can be something as quick as listening to a favorite song, washing your face, having a quiet cup of coffee, or sitting down for a meal. 
2. Schedule a time: This one might be dependent on your personality type. I love schedules, not having a schedule would make me feel stressed. I need the structure. Every day while my son naps, I get that hour for self care. From day one, I have set aside this time as a break for myself, to recharge and refocus. I do not use this time for household chores like dishes, or laundry- those things can be done at another time. I usually sit on the couch and have a quiet lunch. This is often when I will respond to emails, make posts online & schedule any necessary appointments without interruption. Knowing that I have this scheduled time to decompress (or be productive, depending on the day!) eases a lot of stress. Pick a time that best fits your schedule; the morning while your family is still asleep, during nap-time, in the car on the way home from work, after dinner... whenever you can focus on YOU. 
3. Find your thing: Self care is going to look different for everyone. There are thousands of ways to practice self care, and nobodies routine is going to look the same. We all have different interests and different ways our body needs to be taken care of. Your self care practices will probably vary depending on the day or your mood. I usually gravitate towards spa relaxation techniques when I feel like I need to do something for myself. I recently picked up some new “tools” for my “tool box”, in the form of face masks, hair masks, body wash, bath bombs and a foot bath for at home pedicures. A new toothbrush & tube of toothpaste always makes me feel good too! Find new ways to care for your mind & body! 
   

 Remember to always be kind to yourself, you are doing the best you can! Nobody can give from an empty cup, so be sure to keep filling yours. I hope you find some time to practice self care today!