I know, I know, the second you see read "me" time" - you're probably thinking, "Yeah right, what's that?" Moms are infamous for putting themselves last on the priority list while catering to everyone else's needs 24/7. But here's the hard truth: if you don't start making yourself a priority and carving out regular me-time, you're going to completely run yourself into the ground. And let's face it, a well rested happy mama, equals a happy, more functioning family.
The Necessity of Self-Care
Taking time for yourself is not a luxury, it's an absolute necessity. It's easy to skimp on self-care when you're juggling all the things from soccer practice, to dinner planning, to baths school events and bedtime routines. But depriving yourself of personal time and space is a recipe for physical, mental and emotional burnout which is just as important as staying physically fit. Being stressed, irritable, depressed or fatigued leaves no time to fully enjoy life with the kids. Before you feel guilty about taking the me-time know that in the long run, you and your family will be healthier and happier.
Benefits of Making "Me" Time a Priority
Making me-time a consistent part of your routine - even if it's just 10 - 15 minutes a day at first - provides a ton of benefits. First off, it gives you a chance to reset, recharge and forget about mom stresses for a little while. Time away from the daily grind helps you come back to your roles as wife, mother employee, etc. with a fresher, more positive perspective.
More importantly, me-time is a tangible way to show yourself some love and remind yourself, "Hey, I'm a pretty awesome, hardworking woman and I deserve to treat myself well." It's an act of self-care that fills up your cup and allows you to be the happiest, most energized version of you. Think of it like a care engine: You can't get anywhere with a dead or low battery. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your engine running. When your battery is charged, you have way more patience and energy to be the nurturing, engaged parent your kiddos need.
What Does "Me" Time Look Like?
Now the beautiful thing about me-time is that it can look totally different for each mama out there. Maybe for you it means going for a soul-nourishing nature walk or run to get those endorphins pumping; maybe it's cozying up on the couch with a good book and hot tea for some blissful quiet time; maybe it's zoning out and getting crafty - knitting, crocheting, coloring; maybe it's finally booking that one-hour yoga session; whatever hobby puts you in a zen state of flow. It could even just mean stealing away for 20 minutes to meditate, do yoga stretches or take a power nap. The possibilities are endless, and believe it or not, the time is there if you make it and find it.
At the end of the day, any activity that lets you temporarily forget your responsibilities and focus solely on YOUR needs and recharging YOUR battery qualifies as glorious me-time. And don't you dare feel even an ounce of mom guilt over it -you're doing the important work of keeping your body and mind healthy so you can show up as your best self for your loved ones every single day.
Make the Commitment
So if your self-care game has been slacking, let this be your wake-up call. Start small by calendaring just 10-15 minutes a day to reconnect with yourself through an activity you love. Book a one-on-one with one of our experienced and certified trainers at Trainers Spot for accountability, motivation and consistency. Learn more about everything we offer at trainersspot.com.
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