#1 Make Meals Ahead of Time
Between the grocery trips, cooking, and cleaning, preparing dinner each night can take a ton of your time and induce a bit of stress.
Free up your weekday evenings by dedicating one day a week to preparing all your family’s meals. That way, you can complete most of the cooking and cleaning you’ll need to do for the week all at once. To that end, this meal planner will help you save time by keeping all your grocery lists and dinner ideas organized in one handy place.
#2 Take Some Time Out
When you’re always running around doing things for your kids, you often end up neglecting your own needs. However, it’s important to take care of yourself first and foremost. When your kids (finally!) go to sleep for the night or they’re busy entertaining themselves, focus on treating yourself for a change.
Here are some simple ways to unwind:
● Take a bath: Baths have a way of slowing down the world, helping you breathe a bit deeper. If you’re looking for a peaceful atmosphere, light some tea candles, drop a bath bomb in, and let relaxation soak in.
● Try out CBD: Did you know that CBD pills for pain can help relieve stress and tension? Not only can it help with common aches and pains, it can also help you unwind.
● Pamper Yourself: When was the last time you treated yourself to a spa day? Put on a facemask, give yourself a manicure, or just listen to some tranquil music. You’ll be feeling refreshed in no time.
#3 Meditate
After a long day, all you want to do is curl up in bed with a little reality TV and (a lot of) wine. But sometimes you find yourself so caught up in your day that you can’t enjoy even the most dramatic episodes (sorry, Chris Harrison).
Try this book for meditation to help you reclaim your day, unwind, and help ease you into a deep and healthy sleep.
#4 Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
We all need to let loose every once in a while, and this is especially true for busy moms! Not only does laughter help with stress relief, but it also releases “feel-good” chemicals in our brains like endorphins and dopamine. With a good belly laugh here and there, your stress levels suddenly become easier to manage.
Here are some ideas you could try to really invest in you:
● Catch Up with a Friend – Not only do friends make you laugh, but they can also lend you an ear when you need someone to vent to (and you probably need to vent).
● Play a Game – Whether it’s a board game with the family or just a couple of rounds of Candy Crush, games can help us escape from our busy lives for a while.
● Pursue a Hobby – No matter what your affinities are, spending time doing what you love is important for your mental health.
Take Care of Yourself
Although balancing your children’s needs with your own is tricky, there are many ways to find time (and resources) to unwind. If you follow these tips, you’ll be one step closer to scoring the R&R time you need and deserve.
After all, mom spelled backwards is tired. Don’t forget that, by finding ways to unwind and destress, you make it easier to carry about your responsibilities!
