The lack of time for self-care is a common challenge faced by many mothers, who often juggle multiple responsibilities and find it difficult to prioritise your own well-being. However, self-care is crucial for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are my top 5 solutions that can help mothers find time for self-care.
Set boundaries
Establish clear boundaries with your family and communicate your needs. Let them know that you require designated time for self-care, and ask for their support in honouring those boundaries. Plan your days and weeks in advance, allocating specific time slots for self-care activities. I have a couple of hours to play sport during the week nights as well as a few hours on a Sunday morning to do things for me.
Prioritise and delegate
Identify tasks that can be delegated or shared with other family members or support networks. Involve your partner, if possible, in sharing household chores and childcare responsibilities. By distributing tasks, you can free up some time for self-care. And yes time alone is considered self-care too.
Find small pockets of time
Even if you can't set aside large chunks of time, make use of small pockets of time throughout the day. For example, during your child's naptime, you can engage in activities like reading, meditating, or taking a short walk.
Seek support from others
Reach out to your support network, including family, friends, or other parents, and ask for help or guidance. They may have valuable tips, or they might be able to provide childcare or assistance, giving you the opportunity for self-care. They say it takes a village to raise a child or children, so lean on them when you need to.
Practice self-care in small ways
Self-care doesn't always have to be time-consuming or elaborate. Find ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine, such as taking short breaks to practice deep breathing, enjoying a hot bath or shower, listening to calming music, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy. You can even include the kids in things such as movement or workouts, walks in nature or to the beach.
Remember, self-care is essential for your well-being, and by prioritizing it, you can be a happier and more fulfilled mother, wife, friend and colleague. Start small, be consistent, and gradually increase the time you dedicate to self-care as you find a routine that works for you.