The days go by so quickly in the life of a mom, and even more so in the life of a working mom. From the time we wake up till we sleep at night, we are concerned with the meals, health, hygiene, activities and the list goes on, of everyone around us. Insert to do’s of a home-based business or office related responsibilities, and we’re practically left with no time for personal needs. It’s not uncommon to miss out on doing things for ourselves, whether it be skipping a meal, putting off that much needed haircut or even forgetting to take a shower. At times, moms are so focused on getting things done for others that we don’t even realize our own needs until it is too late to do anything else on a relaxed pace. It’s a vicious cycle that continues day in and day out. The feeling of being burnt-out, tired and sometimes even having a little bit of resentment slowly creeps in until we nearly have a breakdown. And when that happens, moms can lose the capacity to attend to things physically, mentally and emotionally until we find time to fully recuperate. The exhaustion can lead to health problems, a shortened temper towards the kids and others, incoherence in brainstorming and problem solving for work and home matters, and a slower work pace for the things that need to get done. It’s good for moms to realize, that by setting some “me time” on a regular basis, it will help us recharge and will make us more alert for the tasks we need to do. Here are 5 quick fixes that can help us refresh our mind, body and spirit:
Meet up with a friend for coffee or dessert
Time is of essence whenever you take a quick break from being mommy and a businesswoman. So having some coffee or dessert with a friend would be the perfect amount of time if you’d like to step out for a bit. It is never a bad idea to catch up with a friend as you can open up to each other about the highs and lows of the week that has been. While moms have overflowing love for their kids, it’s also good to take a break from the pre-school like Q&A’s and chat with someone who’s on the same wavelength as you are. It would be a good time to thresh out emotions and have a healthy exchange of advice and ideas. Or just plain old fun girl talk!
Head over to the gym
Exercise is one of the most productive things you can do when you want to step away from the kids and the office. Apart from the quiet time, you’ll get to take care of your body as well. Maintain a healthy and fit body, increase your stamina, release tension, build up your confidence just by setting aside an hour a couple of times a week. Explore the different kinds of exercises and sports, and you’ll eventually find one that you’ll enjoy. If signing up for a gym membership may be too costly for you, consider looking for a park or oval where you can safely take a jog or download a yoga app and conveniently exercise anywhere you wish!
Enjoy a quiet meal by yourself
This is probably my personal favorite. Aside from the fact that I can choose and eat something I love (I’m a foodie, so this is therapeutic for me!), I get to reflect on events and issues that are currently happening around me in peace. You can make use of this time to address concerns and make decisions with a clear and sound mind, away from the hustle and bustle that goes on at home or in the workplace. By doing this alone, you also have complete control over how long you want to be away. Whether it be a 30 minute meal or 2 hour meal, you’re in control.
Salon and Spa time
It’s safe to say that your family will love you no matter what you wear or how you look. But this is something you should also do for yourself. A quick haircut at the salon can make you feel beautiful and good about yourself, which instantly uplifts your spirit. The blissful treatments done during your spa time not only relaxes your mind and body, but also gives others a chance to take care of and pamper you for a change. You deserve this!
Shop your heart out
While buying something nice for yourself or your family would be a great pick-me-upper, it’s not always a must as the simple act of walking around and window shopping could already be an instant stress buster. This is once again a chance for you to clear your head and quietly reflect and think to yourself. Set a time limit as you might end up spending more than you should for that shopping trip!
“Me time” is an absolute must for all working moms. Depriving yourself of this may lead to breakdowns that may be harder to recover from. Be the 100% you that you’d like to give to your family and business by setting aside a few hours during the week to refresh your mind, body and spirit. Soon enough you will be ready to sing a hundred kiddie songs again and to focus your mind on strategizing your next big business expansion.