Working moms – take care of yourself

Are you a working mom? Don’t put self care on the back burner. Self care for working moms does seem hard to come by doesn’t it?

If you’re a mom, odds are good you have a very, very busy life. Pew Research confirms it. Women today are spending more time working than women in the past, while also spending more taking care of children.

Unfortunately, some other necessary changes haven’t quite kept up with these shifts. Surveys tell us moms are still the ones most likely to be saddled with the housework, even if both they and their spouse have full time jobs.

That could mean you have trouble finding time for self-care. While that’s understandable, it’s still important to address your own needs. You can’t take care of all your daily responsibilities if stress gets the better of you. (Not to mention the simple fact that working as hard as you do means you deserve to treat yourself.)

Luckily, there are ways to practice self-care for working moms. You just need to remember these essential tips.

Be efficient

You probably don’t have time to exercise, socialize, and simply participate in fun activities every single week. That’s just the reality of a busy mom’s lifestyle.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t combine all those self-care practices into one. Maybe you can attend a fitness class you enjoy with friends. Finding ways to pack multiple kinds of self-care into a single activity is a smart way to treat yourself as thoroughly as possible.

Also invest in a daily planner for working moms. A plan and a To-do list is a great way to make sure you the working mom are efficient, are able to balance your work and home demands and find time for yourself too.

Get the kids involved

This one’s my favourite.

It’s almost guaranteed there are days when getting away from the kids to practice self-care simply isn’t possible. What with my husband working Saturdays too and then travelling for at least a week each month, finding a right moment is bleak. When this happens, consider involving kids in your self-care routine instead.

Maybe you enjoy doing some gentle yoga to destress. Your child might be able to participate. Or, perhaps you have a hobby, such as painting. Teaching your child how to paint is another way to care for yourself while including them.

If you enjoy cooking, get the kids involved, too. This is also a great way to encourage them to eat healthy kids meals and be less picky about their food. I believe one of the reasons our son enjoys eating and looks forward to trying new food is because we involve him in everything – right from shopping for groceries to cooking prep.

Wake up a little earlier

Now I’ll admit I struggle here, but I feel its the best way to finding success.

Sleep is crucial to self care for working moms. When you’re sleep-deprived, you’re less productive, more irritable, and prone to a range of potential health issues.

That said, you still might benefit by setting your alarm 20 minutes earlier than you normally would. Setting aside some quiet time in the morning before everyone else is awake gives you opportunities to start the day with self-care. Use this time to read a book, meditate, browse the Internet, or do anything else that helps you relax.

Make a self care space

Sounds so incredibly zen doesn’t it?

Your surroundings play a major role in your mood. That’s why it’s important to create a space in your home that’s dedicated to self-care. This can simply be a corner of the bedroom with candles, essential oils, gorgeous pictures, plants and whatever else puts you in a more relaxed state of mind. Knowing you can take a moment to spend time there when you need to will make it much easier to prioritize self-care.

Don’t feel guilty

Everyone needs a little self-care. It’s simply crucial to a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well being.

Thus, you shouldn’t feel guilty about practicing it. In fact, when you take care of yourself, you’re more likely to be productive, and you set a good example for your kids. Being a working mom involves having more responsibilities than most people can count, but making sure self-care is one of them is key to not only treating yourself right, but treating your loved ones right as well.