Because of all they have to do for their kids, moms can feel limited with their free time and energy levels.
It can be challenging to find time for yourself.
However, your mental health requires you to take time to reset and recharge so you can fully show up for your children.
You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Here are five helpful ways to take a mental health moment as a mom.
1. Take a Guilt-Free Break
Breaks are essential for mental health — you mustn’t feel guilty when you need one. Make your bedtime a priority even though you enjoy that free time when the kids go to bed.
You need your rest more than you need to watch the new episode of a recent Netflix drama.
If you need help winding down, try some lavender or chamomile tea or read a book that will lull you to sleep.
Make time throughout your day for small victories while something else entertains your kids. Connect with someone you love, play with your dog or fit in a workout.
You can install apps on your smartphone that can give you coping strategies and boost your mood when feeling down — they might be an excellent alternative to social media when you need a break.
Break up the monotony of your day by scheduling an activity for yourself that will boost your mood and give you a mental health break from your kids and their demanding schedules. You matter, too.
2. Get a Babysitter
You love your kids, but they can drive you a little crazy.
You are not alone — that’s just something children do. To get out of the house for a bit, schedule a date night and get a sitter.
It will be like a breath of fresh air. If you can’t get a sitter, consider going on a date while the kids are in school. Make time for yourself and your significant other to bond without your child.
You can also plan some fun date night ideas at home after the kids go to bed.
Additionally, think about getting a babysitter to go for a walk in the park or drive to the mall and buy something for yourself.
There are many ideas you can utilize for your time off from parenting — you might surprise yourself.
You don’t have to tell the sitter why you need them to watch your kids. You’re paying them, so make sure they’re comfortable and go do whatever you want.
A little break can help you come back happy and ready to be the all-star mom your kids know and love.
3. Immerse Yourself In Fiction
There’s nothing like an excellent book to help you escape reality and take a mental health break. So many books can provide whatever relief you’re searching for.
If you’re feeling feisty, read something that can help you take a walk on the wild side. If you’re sad, pick a novel with comedy.
Fantasy novels can uproot you from your lounge chair and take you to another land that will make you forget — even if only for a moment — and transcend time.
Books can offer many benefits, but the primary one is you can immerse yourself in another world and become someone else for the duration of your reading.
Reading a good book can reduce anxiety and lessen your risk of depression, so let your kids play outside and crack open a book while they play.
If your kids are too young for this kind of freedom, put them in their playpen or down for a nap while you read. Set a timer if it will help you focus.
Browse your local library for different genres of books until you find one that piques your interest.
4. Exercise and Meditation
Physical exercise boosts your mood and improves your overall health. Workouts can provide myriad benefits that affect your mental health.
When you’re overwhelmed by your duties as a mom, exercise can help you release your frustrations and give you an outlet for your feelings.
Your emotional well-being is vital to your mental health — running for only 15 minutes can improve your mood and decrease anxiety — so nurture it like you would your kids.
Meditation can serve as an excellent outlet as well.
When you practice deep breathing exercises, you can release tension and calm yourself down as you connect with yourself.
If you’re short on time, you can do yoga to get your exercise and meditation fix since they’re combined forces.
Get up early and do a workout, schedule it into your kid’s nap or lunchtime or even get a sitter for your exercise time. There are no rules.
5. Schedule a Mental Health Day
Consider mental health days as a way of resetting and recharging your soul, brain and body.
It is easy to get overwhelmed as a mom with appointments, errands, meals, the house and everything else. Schedule a break so you don’t have to do damage control when it all piles up and you feel like you could explode.
Consider it a tune-up — something you routinely do to ensure your vehicle continues running smoothly.
Take a weekend if you want or just a Saturday or Sunday all to yourself and come back refreshed and renewed to tackle a new week.
Prioritize Having Time for Yourself as a Mom
Taking a mental health moment may seem daunting and not a top priority for you.
However, the day will come when you wish you had a bit of time for yourself.
Moms are superheroes, but even superheroes need a day off every once in a while.
Take the time to charge your battery before it drains too much.