Why am I so cranky? I don’t know but checking on my fussy baby is more important!!!— I smell horrible! When was the last time I took a shower?
I feel like every parent has gone through this phase at one point. One hundred percent of your energy will be devoted to your new baby. You want to protect them from all harms way.
Even if that means you are running off of two hours of sleep and you don’t know what day of the week it is. Well, placing yourself on the back burner at this time, or anytime for that matter, is not a wise thing to do.
According to a joint survey conducted by Healthy Women and Working Mother, 78% of moms report they put off taking care of their own health because they were too busy looking after their loved ones.
Just imagine you are driving a car with little to no gas, it’ll eventually stop moving. As humans we trend to work the exact same way. We are going to explore a few different ways to re-fuel ourselves, which could also be known as self care.
Mental Wellness
Self care is an uphill battle for me. I feel like making time for myself, is the most selfish thing a person, especially as a mother. Trying to alter my mind set is going to be hard but a very important goal for me to reach. I hope by sharing my experience, I will be able to help others in the same predicament.
While your mind might seem impossible to escape, some of these self care tips could help you ease the pain, such as deep breathing exercises. This might sound really silly in the moment but trust me on this one.
YouTube has so many guided videos, that are as short as five minutes that can help you focus on your breathing. We can get so caught up in things during the day, we forget to just breathe sometimes. You will be surprised how much you can accomplish when you are recharged from the inside out.
Journaling is also another way to free your mind of negativity. Writing down your inner thoughts can sometimes give you a sense of clarity and show you the seriousness of your current problem or lack there of.
Inspirational materials such as books, podcasts, and uplifting quotes are also beneficial to your mental wellness. I utilize some of my social media accounts, to find profiles promoting the ideas of self love and awareness. Reading inspirational messages can help you get through your toughest days.
Self Pampering
When I hear the word pampering, images of a foot bath, fuzzy robe, and a face mask come to mind. Self pampering is so much more than a hot bath and a pedicure. It is designating a time slot for you to focus on just you and only you.
Start out by planning one day a month or each week depending on your schedule, where you can do what makes you happy. You can book a spa appointment for a message or treat your self to a mani/pedi day. You can also just stay at home and stay in bed all day to binge watch a new favorite show.
I try to use this free time to try a new hair style or read an old book. Also love to blast my favorite songs while I get glamours with my vast make-up collection. A hot bath with candles once during the week can provide me with maximum relaxation. This will recharge your mind and your body so you’re able to be more productive and you will less burnouts during the week.
Finding-Me-Time Hobbies
Personal time, whether you are a mom or not, is a necessity for your survival as a human. But as a mom, your can easily lose your identity as a person, while wrapped up in caring for your little one. You will forget to take care of you more often than not and that is normal. Making time for yourself is going to refuel your mind, body, and soul. This will ensure that you are able to be the best mama you can be majority of the time.
I believe by finding a cool hobby or activity to do during your mama-me-time is going to help you find your sense of self again. As for me, I have always been obsessed with make-up, fashion, and home decor. So I will focus on one at a time and this makes me feel like I have a sense of purpose.
Find something you are truly passionate about and brings you joy from the inside out. You will be surprised at much you will feel good about yourself, because motherhood defiantly can be overwhelming.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It might seem very selfish, to set aside time to yourself but I am her to tell you it is far from selfish. According to Good Housekeeping article, “Self care is a necessity, not an indulgence,” stated by Emma Bennett, LCSW, who specializes in helping new mothers.
I couldn’t agree more!! You can’t help anyone else if you can’t help yourself first. So please take advantage of all of your resources, even if that means reaching out to a friend, family member or neighbor for help. Even if you take a long shower or while you get some much needed sleep.
It might sound silly, but it can make world of difference in the grand scheme of things. Making time to schedule mama-me-time is going to give you something to look forward to. It’s a great way to break up the week. It can also remind you that mama needs tender, love, and care just like the baby.
