My hubby left the house with the kids and I was stunned. I had two-and-a-half hours to myself and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my time! It took a lot of deliberation before I decided on a shower, popcorn, wine, and a chick flick.
After having this opportunity to refresh and recharge, I realized how critical self-care is to my well-being! Not only did I feel great, but the next day I was happy and more patient with my children.
The thing that gets me is how do I make time for myself… especially since I often feel like I have no time?!
I decided to mull this over and pour my thoughts onto paper. I want to have a treasure trove of ideas to reset and recharge my mommy batteries.
Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay
How to make time to recharge.
- wake up early
- stay up a bit later
- lock yourself in the bathroom for a few minutes
- book a babysitter
- ask a friend to watch the kids for an hour (offer to do the same for her)
- ask your spouse to watch the kids
- let the kids watch a half-hour educational video
How to recharge.
This is the fun part! Self-care is vital but as I shared before, when given the opportunity, I didn’t know what to do with my unexpected alone-time. I decided that the best way to combat this, was to have a list of ideas that I could reference when I have time for myself!
I divided my list into time segments of 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1+ hours! Every minute counts right?
Here are some activities to recharge your mama batteries.
5 minutes
- deep breaths
- pray
- meditate on scripture
- a few simple stretches (I like downward dog into child’s pose)
- step outside and sit in silence – deeply breathe in the fresh air
- pop in your headphones and listen to a favourite song
- get dressed / put on some makeup
- doodle
- light a candle and watch it flicker
15 minutes
- set a timer and take a power nap
- read
- go for a brisk walk
- take a quick shower
- paint your toenails
- peruse a magazine
- make and sip a cup of tea
- daydream
- color a picture
- work on a crossword puzzle, word search, sudoku, etc.
- write in a journal
- look through a childhood photo album
30 minutes
- exercise
- go for a leisurely stroll
- watch a half hour show
- take a hot bath (make an event of it and light some candles too)
- knit, crochet, or sew
- write a letter to a friend
1 hour (or more)
- watch a short documentary or a movie
- hang out in a coffee shop with your favourite book
- browse through your community library
- attend a Bible study or a church service
- get your hair done
- go to an art gallery
- visit the museum
- treat yourself to some ice cream
- go for a swim
- meet a friend at a restaurant
Don’t forget this.
The most important factor to make time for yourself is to make self-care a priority! Moms are often burdened by doubts and guilt. We think we have to be “on” 24/7 – but no one functions like this.
Here’s how to make caring for yourself a priority.
Plan it. Decide what you want to do, when you’re going to do it, and make all the necessary arrangements. Write this time on your calendar and schedule it into your phone!
Don’t waste it. You have this time for you! Don’t clean the house because you feel like that’s what you should do (unless you love cleaning – then go for it)! Avoid frittering away your time on social media or attend an activity that will be an emotional drain. Be intentional with your time and do what will make you feel best with the precious time you have.
Savor this time. Enjoy your self-care time. Keep your mind in the moment and make the most of this occasion!
Make space. If you still feel like you can’t make any time for yourself, then maybe it’s time to shave some activities off of your schedule. Make the time to take care of you. You’re worth it!
It’s your turn!
So now it’s your turn. What do you do to rest and rejuvenate yourself? Do you regularly make time for yourself? How do you nurture the weary mama within you?
P.S. This post was inspired after I did my first-ever Facebook Live video. If you haven’t seen the video, you can check it out on my Facebook page.
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I truly need to take even e a few minutes more just for me as sometimes I totally forget that I do need time to refresh. I am seriously trying to be better at this, but still appreciate the advice and solid easy to do this even with the smallest of timeframes in mind. Thanks Jennifer and wishing you a wonderful week ahead now xoxo <3
Yes, we mamas need time to ourselves! It’s so important!
I love this list. I’m just like that. When I finally have time, I never know what to do with it. I get it on the days Madison is in school and all I find myself doing is relaxing. I need to get up and get out and maybe even start exercising. I really need to stop wasting it.
Here’s to a wonderful rest of the week my friend.
I’m delighted you found this list helpful! I like to have some go-to ideas so that I don’t waste that treasured alone time!
I crave time to myself constantly, and then I get it, and I’m sort of spinning and then I want them all back! I do think it requires planning. Planning to relax. But then you DO, and it’s HEAVEN. Unwasted and fully savored.
Yes! Alone time doesn’t happen very often for me. I don’t want to waste one second of it!
I have been working on my morning routine as I have realized I quite enjoy a quiet cup of coffee to begin my day where I organize my thoughts and think about the day. I also have to stop wasting my time just scrolling through social media and grab a good book and read. Enjoy your post as always! Have a great week!
I have a quiet morning routine – and does it ever make a difference to my day!
Glad you enjoyed this post and suggestions Bonnie!
LOVE this Jennifer! Such a great comprehensive post choc FULL of excellent ideas for us all. I needed both the reminder and the ideas. :) Sharing on my page. Moms NEED this!
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Chris! I wanted to have a round up of fun ideas that could rejuvenate a mama whether she had five minutes or two hours! Thanks for sharing – I appreciate it (and I’m sure some frazzled moms will appreciate it too)!
These are great ideas! I recharge by going to the gym 3 times per week. I go early in the morning after everybody is at work and school. I work from home most days so this works for me!
I’m delighted you enjoyed these ideas Tiffany! I find my mornings before everyone is up, is my most productive time. I can get so much done!
I am going to have to take this advice. With Kellen being gone and no consistent help, I have to find ways to get time for myself. Finding a babysitter may be in my future.
Yes, Tiffany… you’ll definitely need some self-care time. Being with kiddos 24/7 and solo is TOUGH! I hope you can plan some quality time for yourself, and that you can arrange periodic babysitting.
Love this post! I’ve found myself locked in the bathroom, practicing breathing exercises more times than I care to admit. ? I love the idea of planning your self-care ahead of time. I’ve been doing this (even planning the small 15 minute blocks) for a couple weeks, and it’s made such a difference.
Those bathroom deep breath sessions are vital! lol
It’s so important to plan for self-care because more often than not, we push our needs to the backburner.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Alison.