Yes! Go out with your friends, get a manicure, take a spa day. Rewarding yourself with an occasional “Me time” will go a long way in ensuring that you become the best mom you’re set to be.
Pampering and rewarding yourself after working hard may sound self-indulgent as a mom but it’s not.
“Practicing self-care actually helps make you a better parent”, says Kristy S. Rodriguez, a pre- and postnatal wellness expert and advocate and author of the newly released book Pure Nurture: A Holistic Guide to a Healthy Baby. “The more we fill ourselves up, the more we have to give. And as moms, we have to give a lot,” she adds.
When we give ourselves a treat, we feel more energized, cared for and contented. Research has proven that allowing ourselves to enjoy treats from time to time can help us gain more self-control and become a better parent.
The Importance of “Me Time”
When we give dogs a treat, we can ask them to perform tricks for us. In the same way, when you give more good things to yourself, you can ask yourself to do more for your children without feeling resentful, depleted or burned-out!
Imagine working very hard and not getting anything in return. Feels unfair, right? This is why you should start seeing self-rewards as a necessity.
Having a “me time” will boost your mood. Enjoying treats from yourself or other people helps the brain to release the happy chemicals called dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical responsible for making us happier and puts us in a better mood.
Because you’re in a better mood, you’ll be driven to care for your children and work on errands all while looking forward to doing it! Reward yourself for your hard work as a mom so that you’ll learn how to be pulled by the pleasure of achievement.
“When you make that self-care time a priority in your crazy, hectic life, something magical and incredible will happen. You will become the best version of you. You will laugh with your kids more often than you snap at them.” says Cameron Diaz, actress, and author of The Body Book.
Here Are A Few Suggestions On How To Do “Me Time” As A Mom:
- Plot it in your schedule. Schedule “me time” as if you’re booking an appointment with a dentist. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re busy taking care of your family. When you schedule a “me time,” you are least likely to cancel or move it.
- Know what your body needs and craves. What do you think can fuel your wellbeing the most? A trip to the mall with your friends? A quick spa? Or maybe a warm bath?
- Remember that having a “me time” is not a luxury but a fuel that keeps you driving the mommy train. Spread the word to your other mom friends and discuss how they feel about it.
- Make it happen and do not set it as your last priority. There’s no need to feel guilty about taking care of yourself from time to time as long as you’ve done your job as a mom.
- Think about what’s keeping you from doing a “me time” besides attending to your children’s needs. Perhaps you spend a lot of time in front of the TV or spends countless hours scrolling through your Facebook newsfeed. The hours you’ve spent online can be spent instead on things that will freshen you up.
- Do not say yes to everything. Learn how to say no from time to time and do not overcommit or overload your schedule. Leave a bit of time for yourself.
- Be more present and live in the moment. Consider doing a digital detox or spending less time on your phone.
- Do not listen to what other people say about how you spend your time. Having a “me time” should not give you feelings of guilt instead see it as a necessity. It’s a must-have for every mom to develop healthy well-being.
- Every minute spent taking care of yourself counts. You can try reading your favorite book during a commute or while waiting to pick up your kids.
- Retail therapy can still be therapeutic. Instead of dragging your kids to the nearest grocery store, try shopping online which is faster and a lot more convenient. Apart from the essentials, allow yourself to indulge in a bit of splurging.
- Exercise the stress away. A 30-minute jog or yoga can make all the difference.
- Remember that “me time” for moms is a basic need. Even a 5-minute bubble bath can count as a self-care.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be real—a mother’s life is taxing, stressful, and exhausting. It can easily wear you out and unlike most jobs, you can’t quit on being a mom. However, it is possible to survive it while keeping your sanity and even find joy in doing it.
The secret is learning how to take care of yourself. As a mom, you can’t expect to indulge in the things that you used to enjoy back when you were single. Good thing, there are unconventional ways to make life pretty enjoyable even as a mom.
Parenting can get crazy so make a resolution to start rewarding yourself with an occasional “me time”. Self-care can be your golden ticket to sanity and your future self will thank you for it.
After all, you can’t give to others what you don’t give to yourself first. When you are well taken care of, you’ll be able to look after your loved ones well. Loving yourself means loving your children, your partner, and even your work.
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