We have the notion that motherhood is synonymous with martyrdom. It is not farfetched, especially after seeing the sacrifices that a mother willingly takes. But this gives an unhealthy belief that moms should not take care of themselves. Society makes us think that self-care is selfish.
On the contrary, self-care is essential in being a good parent. It gives us the energy to keep up with our kids. Considering that our children see us as superheroes, they would look up to us. If they see us neglect ourselves, they will think that self-care is selfish. The vicious cycle goes on and on.
This idea is incredible. But some mothers argue that they do not have the time to take care of themselves. They can barely sleep. If you think that there is not enough time to do everything, stay tuned!
Sleep
Sleep is the most underrated of all body functions. But this does not lessen its importance. It is when we sleep that our bodies get to recharge. During this period, our body heals itself. Thus, it keeps us physically and mentally healthy.
Scientists linked obesity to sleep deprivation. They point out that it can also increase your risk of stroke and heart ailments. As you see, not getting enough sleep will make you sick. If you are having problems sleeping, here are a few tips:
- Do not take another cup of coffee after 3 PM. Our bodies take 6-8 hours to metabolize anything. It means that if you drink coffee at 4:30 PM, your body, especially your brain, will still feel the buzz of that last cup.
- Establish a sleeping schedule for you and your little ones. Doing this will make their sleeping pattern attune to yours.
- Avoid any device (including your laptop) when you are about to sleep. Gadgets emit blue light that tricks our body into thinking that it is still morning. Thus, it makes it harder for you to sleep.
You will immediately notice the difference. Upon waking up, you will feel refresh. You will no longer feel sluggish. You are also less grumpy. Best of all is that you can again concentrate.
Bath Break
Having a break is another alien term for mothers. You probably cannot remember when the last time you were able to sit back and relax. It is high time for you to enjoy one. Make it a nightly habit. Once you tack in your kids, enjoy a good soak in the bathtub.
Make this time count by meditating. Allow yourself to think about the present moment by focusing on your breathing. You can light a soy wax candle with essential oil to make your bathroom more conducive to meditation. We highly recommend doing this because the scent of the essential oil can help you relax. Do not worry about the environmental impact of using this type of candle because soy wax is biodegradable and comes from a renewable source.
An alternative to meditation is soaking in the bathtub and having a glass of wine nearby. Scientists have been telling us about the benefits of drinking red wine. But we recommend that you do not make a habit out of this. After all, everything is good in moderation.
Make your nightly bath an opportunity for you to take a break. Do not allow yourself to rush this process. Enjoy every minute of it!
Yoga
As mothers, we usually put our needs on the back burner. We heard a few mothers recount how a routine medical checkup for their kids became a trip to their doctor. This story is not unusual because we often ignore warning signs. It is not a good habit.
All of us know the age-old adage that health is wealth. Getting sick is costly. But it is preventable, so on top of getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, be more active. Again, your issue is that you do not have enough time to exercise.
Our busy schedule makes yoga the perfect exercise for mothers. All you need to do is get your yoga mat, and you can get on with your routine. What is even better about it is that you can ask your little ones to join you. Your kids can reap many benefits from yoga. Here are some of them:
- It can improve their concentration skills.
- It also helps your children manage their anxieties and emotions.
- It enhances their flexibility, balance, and strength.
Self-care is essential to us, parents. It is not selfish. On the contrary, it allows us to give our best to our children. It also allows us to make more memories with them.
