Relax, unwind and breathe . . .
I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that I’m naturally a bit more tightly wound. Relaxing just isn’t my forte, and I rarely allow time to simply stop and take a beat. Don’t get me wrong–I really do LOVE a leisurely spa day. Does anyone remember those? But at this stage of life (as a mom during a worldwide pandemic), someone or something always needs my attention. Can you relate?
This isn’t the first post I’ve shared about my struggle to juggle motherhood, the anxiety that comes from world-wide issues, self-care and day-to-day life. Heck, I picked the word SELF to guide my pursuits for the year, knowing good and well that this is something I need to work on. Unfortunately, I can’t say the first half of 2020 has been entirely successful, but I am grateful I can reevaluate now that we’re into the second half of the year. What can I do better? What has gone well? How am I going to continue moving forward? This is exactly how I’m learning to relax, unwind and breathe:
Self-Care Success
Morning and/or Bedtime Yoga – In terms of exercise, it’s such a great way to both start and end the day. I love Sarah Beth Yoga’s videos on YouTube (her 20-30 minute intermediate practices are my current go-to). Plus, the meditation aspect literally forces me to focus on my body, my breathing and overall sense of self. Little by little, I’m learning to relax.
Neighborhood Walks – We’ve gotten into the routine of going for a neighborhood walk just after bath time and before we put the girls to bed. It’s an easy way to help toddlers unwind without too many meltdowns. I especially enjoy it because it gives Jake and I a chance to review our day, move after dinner and enjoy some (cooler) summer weather.
Reflect Every Night – At the end of January, I shared a few of my self-reflection + journaling tips in this post. I’m happy to report that the habit stuck, and I’ve journalized daily since. This has been such a game-changer for my mental mindset. I can share a thought or two at the end of each day, meditate, appreciate or adjust accordingly for the next day.
End of the Day Cleanup – If there’s one thing you take away from this post, let this be it. After the kids are asleep, we do a quick reset. This means wiping down the kitchen counters, putting away leftover toys and giving the floor a good sweep. When we moved into @ourmidmodreno, we invested in a iRobot vacuum (on SALE here). It is worth it’s weight in gold.
Unplug from Technology, Social Media + News – I’ve been making a conscious effort to ditch my phone whenever I can. It’s done wonders for my anxiety, and I’m now a firm believer that I really don’t need to be connected all the time. It’s not healthy or productive. I wrote more about it in this post.
Self-Care Shortcomings
5 Minute Breaks Throughout the Day – The plan is to take 5 minute breaks throughout the day. Think bathroom (without kids!), actually sitting down to eat lunch or finding some backyard shade to SIT + WATCH playtime.
Hire Help – Motherhood is both the best and hardest thing I’ve ever done. Frankly, I just need some occasional help. I’m in the process of lining up a few extra hands to help–keep your fingers crossed!
Making MY Meals a Priority – My personal food intake has taken a backseat the past couple of years. I don’t have the bandwidth to prepare the semi-gourmet meals I once did, but I DO have the ability to make a conscious effort to remember to eat. I need to have three healthy + well-rounded meals a day. Extra bonus points for guzzling water + sneaking in a snack or two.
Sleep + More Sleep – I’m the type of person who preforms best on 8-9 hours of sleep. Yes, this does get tricky with little ones, and sometimes it’s just not going to happen. BUT I need to be better about enforcing my own bedtime. I can’t keep irregular hours and continue wondering why I’m so exhausted all the time. That’s on me.
Stop, Take a Deep Breathe, Then Go – The other day, my mom encouraged me to stop and take a deep breath. I was clearly overwhelmed with the task at hand. This simple reminder was exactly what I needed. Everything is better with a breath of fresh air.
How are you learning to relax and focus on self-care?
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