Everybody knows that life is stressful. Have you ever just wanted to stop what you’re doing and take a break from your responsibilities? If so, you’re not alone. Sometimes you need and sometimes you want a break, but that’s not always going to be easy because you can’t just stop your life and ignore your responsibilities. You need a moment to treat yourself, to recharge, and to focus on your wellness. But how do you do that?
*This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that we only recommend products that we love from companies that we trust. Furthermore, we are not medical professionals and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
There will be moments that you’re talking to the bank about your mortgage because you’re worried about making repayments. There will be moments when you find yourself looking at resources like Edmunds, to find out whether or not you could be getting a better deal on a car and then you can pay less than your current one. You’ll be doing price comparisons for everything from your groceries to your utilities, and all of this can manifest into a total stress fest.
You deserve to stop just for a moment, step back, and treat yourself to something that doesn’t involve paying bills or meeting responsibilities of being a parent. You’re still you, and while you have a range of roles to play in your life, you sometimes need to be a nurturer – your own nurturer. It’s important to treat yourself every now and then and engage in what you need. Here are four ways to do it!
Outsource the help you need.
Whether you need to speak to a financial adviser, cleaner, gardener, or – extravagantly – a chef, you need to outsource what you need sometimes. There’s only so much that you can take on in one go and you need to learn what your own personal boundaries are so that you’re not taking on too much at once. A wonderful way to treat yourself is with help. It is not a weakness to ask for help and it’s the ultimate treat when you have had it pours on top of you for so long.
Eat a home cooked meal.
It’s often the case that we forget to take a moment to cook for ourselves. A wonderful way to treat yourself is with less convenient food and more home cooking. You are then in a better place to feel nourished and it’s so important that you’re able to nourish yourself, and if you find it’s too hard to cook, then use some of the meal services that provide you with the fresh ingredients that you need for your weekly meals and cook them. Planning ahead is not always easy and it’s okay to acknowledge that.
Just pause.
You do not have to be productive every minute of every day for the rest of your life. Set some time aside every week, even just 10 minutes, to take pause, to sit still, just be. Something simple like this has so many benefits for your mind and your body.
Take a break.
A vacation is enough to be all you need to reset yourself, so what you need to do is plan this ahead. Make a budget so that you can set aside money each month for flights, hotels and spending money, and book yourself a vacation. You don’t need a gaggle of friends to go with you, just go by yourself and be in the world and be present with yourself. It’s the ultimate treat.
It’s not difficult to treat yourself, but often it’s the guilt that stops us from doing it. Remember that you are worth every second of your time and putting yourself first means acknowledging that. Lead by example for your children and make your mental and physical health a priority.
Understandably, you felt good about how things were going before you had your baby, and you carried yourself more confidently. But in the postpartum phase, you’re looking at a new person. Your body experienced a lot of changes, your state of mind is going through shifts, and you have a tiny human relying on you to show up for them.
The challenges you face as a new mom can feel defeating, but there are a few unique ways to promote confidence postpartum. It’s important to remember that your feelings are valid, but let’s look at a few ways to boost your mood!
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
Get Some Fresh Air
This is something so simple that we often forget how vital it is. Regardless of the time of year you have your baby, make it a point to take a breath in the fresh air. Sometimes 10 to 15 minutes can significantly restore our energy and promote healing within the body.
If this idea stresses you out, consider taking your baby for a stroll in their buggy. You can count on your little one sleeping a lot in those first few weeks, so dress them appropriately to the season, grab an extra blanket, and enjoy getting outdoors.
Consider Trying Shapewear
One of the more popular ways to boost your confidence is investing in shapewear. The key with shapewear is ensuring it fits well, so measure yourself three times to guarantee accuracy when shopping for your piece.
Another helpful tip for wearing shapewear postpartum is its benefits depending on the type of birth you had, and it can hold things together and give you a sense of pre-baby normalcy.
Click here to get the Postpartum Plan Workbook.
Catch Up With Old Friends
The act of socializing can create a healthy self-dynamic that people tend to lose sight of when the only person they communicate with is their new baby. But reaching out to your friends and having them visit you and the baby can significantly boost your confidence. They may even be willing to bring a goody basket or warm meal, which can help you tremendously as you continue to adjust.
Use Positive Language With Yourself
Another unique way to promote confidence postpartum is speaking positively to yourself and about yourself. The words you use with yourself shape your mindset about how things are going, and positive comments can genuinely make a difference when things get tough.
You could also try putting little sticky notes with small reminders that you’re doing you’re best. These random but small messages throughout the day can make a significant difference in how you view the situation and overcome short-term obstacles.
It’s critical to seek medical attention if you’re in a low place; there is no shame in asking for help. And remember, mama, you just entered a new chapter. Give yourself grace, practice patience, and enjoy this love-filled, tired, and adventurous ride!
Author Bio
Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.
No matter what your age, you can always benefit from a good workout. For mothers, though, it’s especially important to make time for exercise. And there are some essential items that should be in every mother’s gym bag to ensure success. Not only does working out help keep you healthy and looking great, but it can also provide a much-needed break from the stresses of parenting.
In fact, studies have shown that regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp and healthy as you get older. And while it’s always important to consult with a doctor before starting any new fitness routine, there are some basic things that should be in every mother’s gym bag to make her workouts easier and more enjoyable.
*This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost
Water and Sports Drinks
Water and sports drinks are two of the most important items to have in your gym bag. Not only do they help keep you hydrated, but they also provide essential nutrients that can help power your workout. If you’re planning on doing a particularly strenuous workout, it’s a good idea to drink a sports drink beforehand to give you an extra energy boost.
You can even bring coconut juice or Fit ‘n Right detox, which is a natural source of electrolytes while detoxifying your body. Electrolytes are minerals that help maintain the balance of fluids in your body, and they’re especially important when you’re working out hard.
Energy Bars and Snacks
Energy bars and snacks are an important part of any fitness routine, especially for mothers. They provide the energy you need to power through a tough workout, and they also help keep your metabolism going strong.
Plus, if you’re ever in a pinch and don’t have time to eat a full meal, an energy bar can be a great substitute. Just make sure you choose a bar that’s low in sugar and high in protein, so you can stay energized and healthy.
Phone Charger and Power Banks
One of the most important things to bring to the gym is a phone charger and/or power bank. Not only do these items keep your phone powered up, but they can also provide you with a much-needed boost of energy when you’re working out.
If you’re like most people, you probably use your phone for music, podcasts, or other forms of entertainment when you’re working out. So, it’s important to make sure your phone is always charged up so you can stay focused and motivated.
Towel and Body Wipes
A towel and somebody wipes are two essential items to have in your gym bag. Towels are great for drying off after a workout, and body wipes can help keep you clean and fresh.
Plus, they’re a great way to avoid that “post-workout funk” that so many people experience. If you can’t shower right after your workout, body wipes can be a great alternative.
Extra Set of Clothes
It’s always a good idea to bring an extra set of clothes with you to the gym, especially if you’re working out hard. That way, if you get sweaty or dirty, you can change into a fresh set of clothes and avoid getting uncomfortable.
Having a spare set of clothes also comes in handy if you accidentally spill water or sports drink on your clothes. So, make sure to pack a towel and an extra set of clothes in your gym bag!
Yoga Mat
Bringing your own yoga mat to the gym is a great way to make sure you have a comfortable and stable surface to practice on. Not only does it provide extra padding for your joints, but it also helps keep you from slipping and sliding around.
Plus, if you’re ever in a bind and can’t find a yoga mat at the gym, you can always use your towel as a substitute.
Resistance Band
Working out at home can be a great way to save time and money, and it’s even easier when you have a resistance band on hand. A resistance band is a great way to add extra resistance to your workouts, which can help you tone up and burn more calories.
They’re small and lightweight, so they’re perfect for bringing to the gym or taking on the go. So, make sure to add a resistance band to your list of essential gym gear!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: the seven essential items that should be in every mother’s gym bag. By bringing these items with you to the gym, you’ll be able to work out more comfortably and confidently, which will help you get the most out of your session.
Being a mom is one of the most challenging lifetime jobs there is. Moms are so busy taking care of everyone else that they sometimes, or more precisely very often, neglect themselves in every sense. However, neglecting your physical and mental health can have detrimental effects both on you and your loved ones. So, you need to find time and dedicate it to yourself. You’ve probably heard people saying that a happy mom equals a happy family. So, moms, brace yourselves as we’ve compiled a list of things for you to do to boost your mental health.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
You can start with practicing thankfulness. We all have plenty of things to be thankful for. We just often overlook them and forget to appreciate them. Being thankful can really boost your mental health. As beauty and health come from the inside out, we should be mindful of our diet as well as physically active. Moreover, it’s essential that moms have some time for themselves. Also, opening up to somebody such as a family member or a close friend can help you relate and realize that other people also have similar issues or worries. And lastly, we can’t be at our full mental capacity if we don’t allow our bodies and mind to rehabilitate during sleep.
Practice thankfulness
To set a positive mindset, you should remind yourself from time to time about things you are thankful for. That can be your family, health, job or even some little things that mean a lot to you. However, it’s often way easier to focus on negative things rather than positive things around you. It’s not easy creating this kind of mindset. What helps is noting down three things you are grateful for each day. You can write them down in a journal perhaps. Writing them down creates a habit for you. By doing it regularly, eventually, you’ll be able to do it even without writing them down.
Pay attention to your diet
Our mental health can easily be jeopardized with the choice of food we take in on a daily basis. For instance, many people have reported feeling anxious, nervous or under stress when eating too much junk and sugary food. Similar feelings are evoked with too much caffeine. What we put in our bodies has a significant impact on our mental health. To boost your mental health, you should have a well-balanced diet. Such a diet is based on fresh, nutritious food including fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, dairy products, fish and meat. What you should avoid is highly processed, sugary food and too many simple carbs.
By maintaining a healthy diet, you not only help yourself but your child as well. You teach your child good nutrition habits in that way, which is an essential thing for their overall health as well. When choosing a suitable early learning center, pay attention to their meal choice – it should be based on healthy food mostly for your child’s optimal development.
Get active
Getting physically active and engaged in some kind of sports activity can help you in terms of boosting your mental health. When we don’t feel our best psychologically, the easiest thing for us to do is stay in and watch TV. However, such behavior won’t aid your mental health. Instead, you should get a grip, get up and do something physically engaging. You can opt for jogging, taking a brisk walk, riding a bike, swimming or simply going to the local gym. You can even engage in some family time sports activities and play badminton or some other sport. It will help keep your spirits up.
Dedicate time for yourself
One thing that’s key and that many moms don’t have is time for themselves. As we already mentioned, moms have so many things on their minds that they very often, neglect themselves. There are simply too many things regarding their work, children as well as household and other obligations. If you realize that you are in this kind of situation, you should stop for a moment and make a different plan that involves some you-time. In this time for yourself, you can do whatever you enjoy doing. You can go to the hairdresser, practice yoga, take a long, soothing bath or simply do nothing. Don’t feel guilty whatever you do – you’ve earned it! This you-time can recharge your batteries in no time, making you happier and in a better mood.
Open up to a family member or a friend
It’s essential to have some kind of support, regardless of whether you have an issue or not. It helps us just to speak to someone we trust. It can be a spouse, family member or a close friend. By connecting with someone on such a level, we can learn a lot about ourselves. It also helps us calm our psyche down. And if you are struggling with some issues, it would be most beneficial for you to have someone who’s been through something similar to talk to. It should definitely be a person you can trust.
Get enough sleep
Quality sleep is the essence of good mental health. This is a basic human need and you shouldn’t allow yourself to be sleep deprived as it affects both your mental and physical health. You should have approximately around 8 hours of sound night sleep. Your bedroom should be quiet and dark, the bed and pillow comfortable and the bedding soft and clean. All of these things promote good sleep habits.
When being a mom, it’s important to take a break every once and a while and dedicate some quality time to yourself. It perhaps seems not so relevant, however, try practicing these things and you’ll see a boost in your mental health. After all, it’s true that moms are almost almighty, but they are still made of flesh and blood, just like everybody else.
Author Bio:
Jess Cooper is a part-time journalist and blogger based in Sydney, Australia. She is an energetic, creative highly motivated person with plenty of interests. The most prominent areas of interest include makeup and cosmetics, fashion, style, event organization and decoration, healthy food, fitness, learning languages as well as home improvement. Jess loves learning about new things and having the chance to combine those insights with her ideas and spread them to the world. She enjoys having a mindful and well-organized, healthy life, filled with all kinds of different activities and interwoven with close friendships.
It’s important to feel good about yourself because if you don’t, it can be difficult to function in your everyday life. When you’re down on yourself, it’s hard to make decisions or stay motivated. It’s also hard to be around other people because you might not feel confident in yourself. All of this can lead to a lot of stress and unhappiness.
But there are things you can do to change this! By taking care of yourself in the ways described below, you can start to feel better about yourself regularly. This will make it easier for you to interact with others, make decisions, and stay motivated. You’ll also be less likely to stress out about things that don’t matter.
*This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that we only recommend products that we love from companies that we trust.
There are many ways to take care of yourself in the long term. This will ensure that you start off on the right path and can continue healthy habits for the rest of your life. Here are a few that you can start doing today:
Start Exercising
Exercising is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. It not only helps you stay healthy, but it also makes you feel good about yourself. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel happy and euphoric. Exercise also has many other benefits, such as improving your mood, increasing your energy level, and helping you lose weight.
There are many different types of exercise to choose from, so find something that you enjoy doing. If you don’t like running or lifting weights, try swimming, biking, or dancing instead. And if you really don’t know where to start, consult a personal trainer to help get you started on the right foot.
Be Mindful of Yourself
When you’re mindful of yourself, you’re more likely to make choices that are good for you. This means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. When you’re mindful, you’re less likely to eat unhealthy foods or engage in harmful behaviors. You’ll be more likely to make time for yourself and do things that make you happy. Mindfulness is a great way to feel good about yourself over the long term!
Feed Yourself the Right Diet
Eating healthy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. When you eat nutritious foods, your body gets the nutrients it needs to function properly. Eating unhealthy foods can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
The best way to ensure that you’re eating healthy foods is to plan ahead. Make a list of healthy meals you can make during the week, and make sure to grocery shop for the ingredients you need. Some healthy and delicious options include salmon, chicken breast, quinoa, and vegetables.
It’s also important to drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
Invest in Your Appearance
When you feel good about yourself, it’s natural to want to look your best. One way to do that is by investing in your looks. This might mean getting a haircut or color that makes you feel more confident, buying some new clothes that fit well and make you feel good, or even getting permanent hair removal. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that makes you feel happy and beautiful!
Take the Time to Rest
Rest is an essential part of taking care of yourself. When you’re tired, your body and mind aren’t functioning at their best. This can lead to problems such as decreased productivity, poor decision-making, and irritability.
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re getting enough rest is to establish a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This might be difficult at first, but it will get easier over time.
Lastly, Build Your Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is important because it allows you to feel good about yourself. When you have self-confidence, you’re more likely to take risks and go after what you want in life. You’re also less likely to worry about what other people think of you.
There are many things you can do to build your self-confidence. One way is to set goals and achieve them. When you accomplish something, even if it’s something small, you’ll feel good about yourself. Another way to boost your confidence is by surrounding yourself with positive people. These are the people who will make you feel good about yourself and support your endeavors.
In the current days, there is an increasing demand for mobile healthcare apps. These apps are considered to be very effective in revolutionizing the overall healthcare ecosystem by enhancing efficiency, communication, and service quality. Find out more about the benefits for patients and care providers who use these mobile healthcare apps.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
This industry is predicted to rise more in the upcoming future times. Mobile healthcare apps are a true blessing to the overall healthcare as well as the medical industry. Along with the patients and doctors, the pharmacists and also the hospital staff are getting benefited from this technological outcome.
These mobile healthcare apps are specifically used for diagnosis, online consultation, delivery of medical supplies and appointments. So, these apps help to effectively improve patient treatment by diagnosing illness, using wearables, and many different ways.
In the digital age, people are becoming more attached to their smart devices. A smartphone is something that has become an integral part of our life. It is difficult to imagine life without a smartphone. This mobile device helps in the proper management of the schedules, organization of work as well as business processes.
Due to all of these reasons, healthcare app development has become both a luxury and a necessity. In the below-mentioned section, you will get to know how mobile apps are effectively transforming the healthcare industry by benefitting the patients along with doctors as well as healthcare professionals.
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How Can Mobile Apps Help Patients?
The COVID crisis has resulted in the increasing emergence of the digitization approach for diverse industries.
With digitization, the overall healthcare industry has focused to effectively improve their patient-centered approach. This enhanced mobile healthcare app technology is also contributing to maintaining the health of patients along with providing a smooth UX.
These mobile apps are proven to help find qualified doctors, shop for medical products, and a lot more. The development of these healthcare apps plays a crucial role in empowering patients with swift information every time.
So, as a patient, you can use these mobile apps to book an appointment, search for a doctor, view all your medical test reports, and that too from the comfort of your own home.
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Visiting the doctor’s clinic physically has become very much difficult due to this ongoing pandemic situation. Here comes the role of these mobile healthcare apps.
This particular app will allow you to meet with your doctors virtually i.e. through video calling. In this way, you would be able to discuss your ongoing health issues with them online to get the best assistance.
Other than that, the health monitoring apps will help to keep a regular check on your health with the help of which you would be influenced to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So, it can be said that healthcare mobile apps have proved to be a boon for the patients.
Not only the patients, but these mobile apps allow doctors to manage their work effectively. You will get a detailed discussion about this in the below-mentioned section.
How Can Mobile Healthcare Apps Help Healthcare Professionals And Doctors?
Mobile apps are contributing to making the life of healthcare professionals much easier.
Almost every aspect such as clinical documentation, monitoring treatment, maintaining health records, health surveillance, administration, and emergency response are covered in these mobile healthcare apps.
Now, you should know about how mobile apps are changing or transforming the healthcare industry as discussed in the following section.
Easy Payments
Healthcare apps promote efficiency as well as easy payments of bills. This is considered to be one of the key advantages of these apps. But, traditionally, people had to wait in a long queue for several hours to make the payment.
With the help of this mobile technology, payment methods have become highly secured. Thereby, this allows people to make instant payments every time.
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Monitoring The Health Of Patients From A Distance
In this digital era, people-focused to wear fitness bands that are connected to their smartphones specifically via a health application.
So, this contributes to keeping track of their activities such as the number of steps taken while running or walking, meals taken, sleep timings, and a lot more.
The best part about this wearable technology is that it has revolutionized the healthcare industry by assisting doctors as well as patients in their complicated activities.
These activities involve providing the history of patients, providing real-time access to electronic health records, and so on.
Some of the other devices are also present which are proved to be very helpful in indicating any of the body conditions such as monitoring of the heart rate, measuring the level of blood pressure as well as glucose level.
Increased Accurate Reports
Doctors are also human beings and so, in some cases, it is normal for them to make a wrong judgment. But, the results of this can be very lethal.
Nowadays, due to the increasing emergence of blockchain and machine learning-based healthcare apps, the accuracy of the reports has been significantly increased. As a result, this has contributed to the reduced rate of the wrong diagnosis.
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Immediate Healthcare Access
Gone are those days when you have to physically visit the doctor’s clinic to book an appointment with them. Nowadays, with the rapid emergence of healthcare mobile app services, physical visits are effectively replaced.
In this digitization era, people can easily book appointments online and so, you do not have to make any physical visits.
In this regard, the interactive mobile apps allow patients to ask questions from the doctors related to their general health. The best part is that these doctors are available all round the clock and you do not have to book appointments for getting their services.
Easy Access To Medical Reports
Medical apps have made it very easy for the doctor as well as the patient to access the medical reports from anywhere and anytime.
Easy Access To Home Healthcare
The continuous evolution of technology has effectively revolutionized home healthcare services. Real-time technology helps to determine medicines, medical equipment, as well as other healthcare requirements in the industry.
Patients can specifically choose for home healthcare with the help of mobile healthcare apps. This technology has also proved to be very helpful for elderly people and those who are suffering from different conditions such as disability or special needs.
Not only that, but these mobile apps are a life-saving tool for those who are suffering from chronic diseases, or the people who are recovering from a medical setback.
Choosing Your Doctor
Mobile apps have made it incredibly easier for the patients to access all the integral pieces of information that they need while finalizing a doctor for the treatment.
To make a well-informed decision, you should focus on looking for everything such as cost, ratings, expertise, patient’s experiences as well as reviews.
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Final Thoughts
In this way, mobile healthcare apps are effectively revolutionizing and transforming the overall healthcare industry. Due to this particular reason, healthcare app developers should keep themselves updated with the latest trends and evolution of the healthcare industry.
People are currently well aware of the fact that healthcare mobility solutions will hugely benefit the overall healthcare industry as well as the entire world. If you are focusing on investing in a healthcare mobile app, then you should contact only a professional service provider.
Author Bio
An international speaker, technology visionary, and web Aficionado, Kandarp Bhatt runs ZealousWeb, a Digital Transformation company that offers inventive digital solutions to clients across 66 countries. An eCommerce enthusiast, he is committed to expanding the digital footprint of his clients by delivering innovative solutions that meet their business requirements. Nothing moves him more than seeing his clients’ growth. He also likes sharing his tech knowledge with those who need it the most by providing informative content in his free time. And when he is not working, you will either find him spending quality time with friends and family or playing sports.
Everywhere we look these days, there is something or someone promoting self care. Regular, every day products like body wash and make up to fashion, weight loss programs and even vacations are now being marketed as “self care.” It kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? What if we could practice self care by doing less instead of more? Because self care isn’t about having all the right products to look and feel our best. It’s about prioritizing ourselves. And ultimately, less IS more.
*This post contains affiliate and/or paid links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that we only recommend products that we love from companies that we trust. Furthermore, we are not medical professionals and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
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But before we can practice self care by doing less…
we have to change our way of thinking. We’ve been programmed to believe that we need to be “on” all the time. We need to stay one step ahead, be competitive, ambitious, work hard and push our limits. While all of theses things are certainly true, we forget that we also need balance. We need to be able to turn it “off” sometimes. We need to rest, recharge, relax. We need to be okay with doing nothing.
This can be especially hard for moms. If we don’t do all the things, we feel guilty. That guilt eats away at us and it does more harm than good. So the first step to practice self care by doing less is to accept that less is not bad. It doesn’t make us lazy or a bad mom. It doesn’t make us procrastinators or slackers. Instead, doing less helps us to clear our minds and rest our bodies so that when it is time to do. all. the. things, we can do them better.
Do Less in the Shower
Some days, I take a long, hot shower with luxurious scented body wash, a charcoal face mask and eucalyptus shower steamers. I deep condition my hair, shave my legs, exfoliate my skin and massage my cuticles. Other days, all of that sounds so very exhausting.
But being in water has amazing benefits on those days when our mental health is ravaged by anxiety or depression. So instead of putting off the shower for another day, practice self care by doing less in the shower. Just stand there under the water. Don’t shampoo or condition your hair. Don’t shave or scrub or massage or exfoliate. Just let the water wash everything away.
You can even sit in the tub under the shower, or on a bench or shower safe chair. Try showering while lying down in the bathtub. There are no rules that say you have to shower a certain way. Just get in, turn on the water and do nothing until you’re ready to get out.
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Don’t Cook
Do you ever feel like you’re a full time personal chef for a family of picky eaters? If it’s stressing you out, then practice self care by doing less cooking. This could mean ordering pizza and not feeling guilty about it. Maybe it’s taking one day to cook for the entire week. Order a food delivery box, try eating raw or living off leftovers for a few days. Cereal for dinner? The kids would love it! Making healthy, gourmet meals for your family is not a requirement for being a good mom.
Clean The House Less
I’m not saying you have to live like a slob, because sometimes clutter can really destroy our mental health. I’m just saying to do less. Try optimizing your home so that everyone can help to keep it tidy. Keep cleaning products underneath each bathroom in your house so that it feels like less of chore. Change up your cleaning routine. If you feel like you clean everyday, switch to once a week or vice versa and do a little bit each day. Hire someone to clean your house for you. Make a cleaning schedule so that you can keep better track of how often things are being cleaned. Or just don’t clean and leave the mess for another day. That’s self care too.
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Avoid Scrolling
Another way to practice self care is by doing less scrolling on our screens. The internet is a fantastic tool but it’s all too easy to get lost down a rabbit hole of Instagram reels or Pinterest photos. The more ideas we see, the more things we want to do. Then we feel like we’re falling behind on the trends and our homes aren’t pretty enough, our closet isn’t fashionable enough or our hair isn’t styled right. So do less of that. If you’re not ready to give it up, then focus on learning good things from the internet instead of comparing ourselves to every fashion vlogger or crafty mom out there.
Cancel Plans
Sometimes self care is a night out with friends and other days self care means doing lesssocializing. If you have an event coming up on your calendar that you are dreading or anxious about, cancel it. It’s okay! Often, we get so caught up in the politeness and manners and certain way that we are supposed to act around others, that we don’t see how much it affects our mental health. Appointments can all be rescheduled. Friends and family will understand. Don’t overbook yourself because you feel like you need to keep busy all the time.
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Spend Less Money
Financial worries can weigh heavily on our minds. Therefore, we can practice self care by making an effort to do less shopping and spend less money. Instead of resorting to “retail therapy” as a form of self care, try to do the opposite and save the money. Buying less things also means less clutter in our homes, which is great for our mental health. It always feels easier said than done, but seeing our savings account grow is a big mood booster. Plus, knowing we have money set aside for emergencies will reduce stress levels and anxiety.
Find Easier Alternatives to Exercise
Advanced spin class is a lot for anyone, never mind an already tired mom. Moving your body doesn’t have to be a chore that you dread or feel pressured into. There are much more relaxing and less intensive ways to exercise, that are still a great way to practice self care. Instead of waking up at 5 am for that 2 mile run, try taking a leisurely stroll in the park. Swimming, walking, biking with the kids, even some meditative yoga are less intensive and time consuming than a visit to the gym.
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Self care, like all areas of life, is about balance. There will be days when you need some intense self care. Focusing on a particular trigger or problem area can mean you’re working out more or putting more effort into your diet and meal planning. But if it starts to become a chore, you’re less likely to do it. Try to find some middle ground so that sometimes you can practice self care by doing less, and sometimes by doing more.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that we only work with companies and individuals that we trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
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This past year has upended many aspects of our day-to-day life, from our work to our routines of seeing friends and family on a regular basis. The uncertainty and stress, along with constantly changing news, has caused the anxiety of this past year to manifest itself in different ways for many of us. From increased online shopping to late-night doom-scrolling, many people have been unprepared to live in an extended period of trauma.
One of the ways that this uncertainty has manifested itself is anxiety-induced insomnia, especially for those that have never had sleeping issues before. This phenomenon, also known as “Coronasomnia,” is the persistence of sleep issues (such as trouble staying asleep or falling asleep) due to pandemic-related stressors. This includes everything that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered, including:
The safety of loved ones
Job security
Financial security
Your own health and safety
Loss of sleep, especially due to anxiety-related factors, can further disrupt areas of your life. Fatigue and disrupted sleep schedules can impact workplace productivity, and can lead to increased feelings of depression.
Though there’s no cure for anxiety or anxiety-related insomnia, there are a number of things you can do to try and get a handle on your sleeping habits to hopefully alleviate your anxiety symptoms at bedtime. Committing to healthy bedtime habits can help you get into a routine for bedtime, that will hopefully keep anxiety at bay and let your body know it’s time for sleep.
Here are a few ways you can prioritize sleep to keep coronasomnia away when you should be catching some zzz’s.
1. Read, Don’t Tweet
This is for the people that pop onto Twitter or Instagram “just for five minutes” then end up scrolling away for three hours. We all know that blue light has harmful effects on our eyes and can make it hard for us to sleep, so fight the temptation entirely and grab a book instead of your phone. Reading is a great way to relax at the end of the day and lets your brain gradually shut down and get ready for bed.
If you need another hobby or something cute to remind you to read, try a coloring page bookmark to relax you at the end of a long day and give you something to look forward to every time you open your book.
free printable
2. Move Your Body
It may sound cliché, but it’s true — moving your body and/or stretching before bed can help tucker you out for the day, as well as help you get better sleep altogether. If you’re the type that gets hyper or more energized after working out in the evening, try shifting it to working out earlier in the day, or just by doing a few stretches before getting in bed for the night.
3. Stay Away from Alcohol and Caffeine
Especially in times of uncertainty, it can be easy to turn to a little liquid courage to ease our minds and take some of the weight off our shoulders, leading to a bad case of coronasomnia. Avoiding caffeine is a no-brainer, as this gives you energy (which is likely the last thing you want if you’ve been having some sleep issues). While alcohol can make you sleepy, it’s also been linked to poor sleep quality and duration.
If you want something besides water before bed, try a calming cup of Sleepytime herbal tea with no caffeine. To spice it up, you can add some printable “positivi-tea” labels to the end of your tea bag so you’re greeted with a happy reminder every time you take a sip.
free printable
4. Write It Out
Stress and anxiety can eat you alive, and keeping it all bottled up is one of the worst things you can do. If you find your mind racing and heart pounding when you should be counting sheep, you may want to think about journaling each night before bed. Studies have shown that journaling can be good for mental health, as you’re no longer keeping everything inside that’s causing you stress or anxiety.
Try looking up some journaling prompts if you don’t know where to start, and if you want to try it out before buying a journal and committing try some printable bedtime journal sheets. These can be printed as many times as you need, so grab a pen and start writing — you may be surprised how much better you feel when you can get all your thoughts on paper instead of leaving them trapped inside your head.
free printable
Sleep issues are no joke, especially during such a turbulent time as the one we’re in. Through prioritizing your mental health and doing what you can to get into a sleep routine, you’re doing the best thing for you to keep sleep issues or coronasomnia at bay.
Author Bio
Emily Borst is a digital content creator who creates compelling stories worth sharing. Her background in writing has helped her cover unique topics, including sharing her passion for health and wellness. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and eating her way through Austin, Texas.
As a stay-at-home mom, finding ways to take care of yourself isn’t always easy—the kids want to play, then eat, and then play some more. Sometimes, it’s exhausting. However, finding ways to take care of your needs is crucial to your well-being. Remember to reach out to loved ones and do something that relaxes you, whether it’s discovering a new hobby, going for a run, or taking a nap. By finding various self-care tips for stay-at-home moms, you’ll discover ways to feel rejuvenated.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that I only work with companies and individuals that I trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
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Reach Out
A critical way to take care of yourself is to reach out to your inner-circle. Call friends and family for help, so you can get a break. Various ways you can recharge your energy range from going out to lunch or taking a hot soak in the bath while someone watches the kids. Communicating your struggle is important because people may not realize you need help if you stay quiet.
Talk To Your Inner Circle
Reaching out for help is of the most important self-care tips for stay-at-home moms because being a mom is a full-time job that requires around-the-clock care. Sometimes, it may feel like your hard work goes unnoticed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider joining a local support group where you can share your feelings with other stay-at-home moms while your spouse or other trusted individual watches the kids for a few hours.
Exercise
Find time in your day to get in some exercise. It doesn’t have to be at a gym or going for a walk to clear your head. By finding ways to stay active with your baby, you allow yourself to decompress. Furthermore, your body releases endorphins, which are the feel-good hormones you get when you work out, so you’ll feel happier and more energized.
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Utilize Outdoor Time
Additionally, exercising outside gives you a change of pace and scenery. If you have no one to watch the kids, consider working in a jog on the way to the park where the kids can then play with other children. As little as 15 minutes of exercise can ease your stress and leave you feeling refreshed.
Discover Hobbies
Sometimes, you forget about the hobbies you once loved doing, and rediscovering them is easier said than done; however, doing so is important to refreshing yourself. Yoga, for example, helps you relax and discover ways to practice mindfulness. Whether it’s partaking in a new hobby or rediscovering an old one, your options are endless. Try out a few of the following:
If you’re an artist, find twenty minutes to draw or paint while the kids nap or watch television. Enjoying your hobbies on your own is crucial because it’s about giving yourself time, and everyone needs space to feel refreshed and ready to conquer the day!
Author Bio
Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.
The first few months of your newborn’s life are among the most hectic and exciting times you’ll experience. As you rush to get them settled into your home, your mind is solely focused on them—as it should be. However, it’s easy to let your own self-care needs fall by the wayside during this time, which can leave you looking just as tired as you feel. Use these tips for post-pregnancy skin care to bring back your youthful glow and fit some “me time” into your day while you’re at it.
*This is a guest post and all opinions are those of the author. This post may also contain affiliate and/or paid links. Rest assured that I only work with companies and individuals that I trust. While some of those companies and individuals may work in the medical field, this post is not intended to be a substitution for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental or physical health.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
The sun is the leading cause of many skin issues—and this includes those that develop postpartum. In fact, pregnancy-specific skin conditions such as melasma and dark, irregular patches on the face can worsen with heightened sun exposure. So, make sure you’re protecting yourself by wearing an SPF-30 sunscreen and sticking to the shade as much as possible.
Thoroughly Cleanse and Moisturize
It’s also important that you regularly wash your face and apply a moisturizer afterwards. At the end of a long day, new moms often skip this part of their routines in exchange for a few more precious minutes of sleep. However, this leaves harmful bacteria on their skin, which can quickly clog their pores and turn into acne. Stop this battle before it starts by washing your face twice a day and keeping it hydrated.
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Exfoliate Regularly
Another crucial tip for post-pregnancy skin care is to fit an exfoliation step into your routine. Exfoliation allows you to gently buff away all the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that are making your complexion appear dull. It also works to dissolve any debris clogging your pores and, as a result, prevent future breakouts. Best of all, there are a couple different types of exfoliation products for you to choose from, so it’s always possible to find a product that fits your specific needs.
Get Enough Rest
Most importantly, make sure you’re always getting enough sleep. We know this is easier said than done when your baby frequently needs you in the middle of the night. But sleep is what allows the skin to repair itself and reenergize its cells. Without it, your skin is at risk for premature drooping and sagging. Because of this, getting a little extra sleep when you can is vital.
Author Bio:
Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and mental health help create thought provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower mothers and women to embrace the beauty of motherhood.
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