10 Ways To Make ‘Me’ Time

Mommy Base

As a busy mom, your to-do lists never end. But it’s critical that you make time to relax in order to keep your stress levels down and your happiness levels up. Here are ten ways you can help carve out moments that will make a positive difference.

Start small. You’ll be more successful if you don’t try to schedule in an hour a day for yourself right away. Start with simply realizing that you deserve at least 10 minutes a day to focus on yourself. Then carve out those 10 minutes and build from there.

Wake up earlier. Set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier than you really need to be up. Use those precious minutes to drink a cup of coffee and scan through the paper in quiet or sit outside enjoying the morning sounds—whatever restores your soul.

Schedule “me” time in your calendar. Make an appointment for yourself and put it in your calendar. The key is taking that appointment as seriously as you do your children’s doctor and dentist appointments or after school activities.

Take advantage of your shower time. Instead of rushing through your shower, take a few deep breaths and enjoy the feeling of the water washing over you. Purchase some aromatherapy products you love as well as special soaps.

Use your lunch hour. If you work outside the home, take at least one lunch hour per week to get away from your desk. Go for a short walk, browse through a nearby store, or read a few pages in a novel.

Institute quiet time. Teach your children to entertain themselves quietly in their rooms for 30 minutes to an hour. Be sure to have ample items that they enjoy playing with around such as coloring books, Play-doh, or activity books.

Take a few minutes to relax at the end of the day. When you get home from work, give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to unwind before you dive full force into the evening’s hectic activities.

Take a personal day. Take a day off every once in awhile to do whatever you want whether that’s shopping with friends or curling up in bed reading a good book. It’s well worth it even if you have to hire a babysitter.

Rest When Your Children Do. It’s tempting to get your chores done while the kids are sleeping or playing quietly, but that’s the best time for you to take a break as well. You don’t have to sleep, too, but find something relaxing to do for yourself. You’ll have more energy once the kids wake up.
Organize a “Mom’s Morning Out” circle. Arrange to share babysitting services with a friend or two a couple of a month so everyone gets a couple of quality hours to themselves.

Just remember that every time you are tempted to scrimp on “me” time, you’re actually hurting yourself. If you can’t take care of yourself, you won’t be in good shape to take care of your family. Even 10 minutes a day of relaxation time is better than doing nothing at all! Your children—and your body–will thank you.