4/23/2021

A Mom's Practical Guide to a Guilt-free Me Time

 


Many moms silently soldier on despite the nagging feeling of fatigue and stress. The "me time" gets lost somewhere in the pile of laundry, dirty dishes, and other household chores. But that should not be the case. So to the mom reading this, here are easy and achievable ways to finally focus on yourself.

 

Learn Breathing Exercises

When you have a three-year-old screaming at full volume or a husband that's about to come home but no dinner on the table, the stress levels can reach an all-time high. The knee-jerk reaction is to shout back or to panic. But you can avoid that, and that's where proper breathing exercises come in.


Inhale, then exhale. That's the first aid to any stressful situation. In fact, medical studies show that taking a deep breath and counting from one to ten before exhaling greatly helps minimize stress and anxiety level. Aside from mimicking the state of our body when we are relaxed, breathing deeply and slowly also tells our brain to calm down. Some examples of breathing exercises are


  • Belly Breathing -Sit or lie down, then place your hand just above the belly button. Breathe in through the nose, then slowly exhale through your mouth.
  • Abdomen Breathing - Lie down on a flat surface and put pillows under your knees and head. Place your hand under your rib cage and the other one over your heart. Breathe in and out through the nose.
  • Equal Breathing - This type of exercise means the time you inhale and exhale should be the same. You can do equal breathing, either lying down or sitting on a chair. Close your eyes and inhale while counting one to four, then exhale while counting one to four.

 

Practice Yoga

Originating in India, Yoga is a practice that harmonizes the body and mind. It means 'to unite.' Yoga basically involves breathing, relaxation, and meditation. It is one of the go-to activities of people who want to release some steam.


Aside from beginner-friendly movements, the good thing about yoga is that it doesn't require any expensive equipment. It is also an exercise that you can do in the comfort of your own home with just a simple yoga mat. There are many YouTube channels nowadays that offer free yoga tutorials, and you can start with just ten minutes and the basic poses.

 

Pamper Yourself

In this quarantine time, it's hard to find a face and skin clinic that's open for business. But fear not, because there are still ways to pamper yourself without going out. A good example is DIY face masks. They are easy to make, and most of the ingredients you'll need are available in your pantry. Here are a few items that you can turn into a rejuvenating mask


  • Cucumber -Cucumbers contain anti-inflammatory properties that are good for nourishing the skin. It is also full of vitamin C and folic acid.
  • Lemon - Citrus fruits like lemon have high pH levels, which aid in reducing inflammation. Lemon also has citric acid that helps peel dead skin, thus preventing acne.
  • Honey -This pantry staple contains properties that balance bacteria on our skin, making it suitable for healing and preventing acne.
  • Oatmeal - Oatmeal is rich in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in moisturizing dry skin. It also helps treat acne by absorbing the excess oil on your face.
  • Egg -The albumin or white of the egg is known as a protein that aids in tightening facial pores, while the yolk works as a skin moisturizer.

 

Spend Time Offline

Many moms or parents in general turn to their gadgets to relax. Almost everything nowadays can be done online. But do you know that too much time spent on gadgets can do more harm than good? Aside from the unnecessary pressure to look perfect in social media and news that cause anxiety, prolonged screen time also strains the eyes, which can lead to headaches.


There are tons of gadget-free activities that you can do at home. You can begin reading your favorite book that's already collecting dust on the shelf. If you don't have anyone to talk to, then you can start a journal. Writing on paper may seem old school, but it can be emotionally beneficial since you let out your emotions in a safe place.


As hard as it may seem, it is best to unplug from time to time. If it is not possible during the day because you're also working from home, you can start going offline at least an hour before your bedtime. Staying away from the glaring blue light emitted by our devices helps our body and brain to relax.


Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs in the world. You are on-call 24/7, 365 days a year. There's no break time, no clock out, and no off-day. Motherhood can be exhausting and emotionally draining; that's the reality. But giving your all to your family doesn't have to mean forgetting yourself. Remember, you're a mom and deserve to be stress-free.


**Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-green-tube-top-sitting-on-white-ceramic-bathtub-6724383/

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