SELF CARE – 18 SMART WAYS FOR BUSY MOMS

Self-care is a purposeful and conscious act of promoting your well-being- emotional, physical and mental. It’s not a matter of just gyming or a relaxing pedicure at a spa. It’s a holistic process of taking care of your mind, body and soul all three of which endure huge turbulence in motherhood.

In most of my previous posts, I have stressed the need of “Me- Time” and making yourself a priority for recovery after childbirth. Often as mothers, we treat self care as a luxury rather than a priority leaving us to feel overwhelmed, tired and ill-equipped to handle life’s inevitable challenges. To be a resilient mother, self-care is vital and indispensable. 

During my conversations with a lot of new mothers, I often get questioned 

HOW? 

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES WHEN WE DON’T HAVE TIME? 

HOW TO PRACTICALLY DO SELF -CARE IN THIS SUPER BUSY DAILY ROUTINE?

HOW TO MAKE SELF CARE A REALITY? <p45>

Well, for all the exhausted mothers, here’s a list of 18 simple and hands-on self care practices to make this dream a reality. 

1. Start by asking yourself these 5 questions?

• • • Am I getting adequate sleep?
    • Is my diet enough to fuel my body?
    • Am I getting enough exercise?
    • Am I getting time for activities that are mentally stimulating?
    • Am I doing some activity to keep me recharged?

These questions will give you a clear picture of your level of self -care and the areas in which you need to practice self care first.

2. Use interstices:

I was introduced to the concept of interstices by a chapter in 12th standard English textbook and I made it a principle for life. . Interstice is defined as an “intervening space, especially a very small one”. There is always time between any two events. Use that. 

Say You have 2 minutes.

The kids are all somehow miraculously entertaining themselves for, you’d guess, the next couple of minutes. Take advantage of it. Instead of keeping the folded clothes in your almirah or uselessly scrolling FB on mobile try one of these quickie self care ideas. Rush to the kitchen and make a besan face pack for your face. Use that time. Keep your self care needs in mind always and the moment you get time for them, get onto them.

3. Turn on uplifting music:

It can be a song with a strong message you need to hear, some bhajan you like, some rock and roll song you loved in high school, African drumming, flute music, or a catchy pop single, Jazz, Punk Rock, Beatles or Jagjit Singh, Eric Clapton or Arijit Singh, Diljit Dosanjh or George Micheal, any music which appeals to your senses. Pamper your eardrums to pamper your mind. You can even involve your children and tell them this is mammas favourite song. They’ll love to hear it too.

4. Take a bath baaaaaaath:

If your baby is asleep, go take a shower and don’t just rinse it off. Make it a luxurious experience for yourself. A relaxing shower is one of the best things you can do for yourself. While the water is warming up, put on some light acoustic piano cover, apply a face/hair/body mask and then keep it slow. Stand under the shower for longer than usual and let all the tiredness melt away.  You ll come out more rejuvenated and uplifted.

5. Go for a stroll :

Walking feels great especially in a garden or near water or in the woods. If you can do that, you are on the path of self -care.

6. Unplugging from social media:

Switch everything to airplane mode and free yourself from the constant bings of social media and emails.

7. Run :

(or walk, depending on your current physical health) for a few minutes. Or go up and down the stairs three times. Do any form of exercise you like. Start toning your body part by part. You can start with your stomach since most mothers hate that belly fat. Or your arms and hips. Workout with whatever you have in hand. Do 20 arm rotations while waiting for the tea to come to a boil or 10 neck rotations while that document gets printed.

8. Get to know yourself intimately:  

Look lovingly and without judgment at yourself naked. (Use a mirror to make sure you get to know all of you!). Love your new mother body, your marks and scars. Love yourself for who you are now. You are beautiful.

9. Have a good laugh:

Read a couple of comic strips that you enjoy or watch a classic comedy movie or watch an old hilarious video of yours.

10. Pamper your feet:

Numerous studies have shown that relaxing your feet has multiple benefits like improved blood circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension and often eases pain. Taking care of them instantly revives your spirits.(Little secret…It improves your sex life too). So take at the tub and get immersed in a relaxing warm foot soak. Even a super-short pampering session gives your mind a chance to process thoughts and focus inward.

11. Lie on the bed or floor with your feet up the wall and close your eyes:

Take a catnap or a daydream nap. Feel the blood flowing in your body in the reverse direction and observe your breathing. (This is my personal favourite self care practice 😛)

12.  Splurge on yourself:

There’s that dress or body wash or sandals or bracelet you’ve been wanting to buy for a long time but just don’t have time for it or are too lazy to buy things for yourself. Buy it Today and strike it off your mind.

13. Book a spa:

Talk to your friend or mother in law or hire a nanny and leave your kids to them for one or two hours and give yourself an infusion of glow, youthfulness, and reset for your skin

14. Discover your signature strength:

Think about what you’re good at, and find an opportunity for it today. 

15. Colour a book:

I know it sounds very funny and child-like but believe me, it is very therapeutic. Colour besides, with or without your child and enjoy those crayons doing magic on the paper and your mind.

16. Get down and boogie:

Put on your favourite upbeat record and shake your booty. (Bonus……… Kids love dancing so you can do it with your children and enjoy their shocked expressions when they think that mommy has gone mad today). Bonus: It’s a great way to exercise with kids.

17. Schedule a get together with friends:

Your social needs are as important as your physical needs. It is important to have a hearty call or meeting with your friends and let it all vent and let the new air enter you. Honestly, my friends recharge me and give me a chance to be me, the person ME” !! 

18. Start Small:

I talked about interstices in the beginning and I end my list with “Staring Small” to highlight its significance. But I really want to stress this fact that self care need not be a planned hour or a scheduled rigid session. It’s anything that a busy mom can squeeze in. Find 5 minutes and start there. That’s all you have to do. Meditate, lie down, spread out your arms, do 100 kapaalbhati, do 50 cycling, go to the balcony, some deep breaths. These are just a few ideas. There are 1000 new ideas you will discover once you start looking for small pockets of time in your day. WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS THAT YOU DO SOMETHING, HOW SO EVER TINY IT MAYBE.

I have tried to give you the most practical tips on making self care a reality all of which I have applied in my life. And I am not preaching this without practising it.  If you can, then, imagine me writing this article …….with an oats-beetroot pack on my face and feet dipped in a hot water tub. I totally look like a ghost. But heyy!! I don’t care. That all the time I get… My daughter is sleeping and I want to make the best use of this time and what can be its better use than taking care of myself. 

So moms, START SMALL with these activities in your daily routine and make a mix that leaves you feeling balanced, happy, and fulfilled. 

Good Luck and cheers!! Write to me if you have any more self care ideas. I would love to share them with fellow moms.#new moms support.