Hey there, Mamas! September is National Self-Care Awareness Month. And this is great. So many of my clients aren’t taking time for good self-care, so it’s something we work on a lot during our meetings.
Self-care (or lack thereof) is not just about you. Self-care makes you more able to fulfill all of your roles to others with gusto.
When I think of what self-care means to me, I think about this tip from Gretchen Rubin: Treat Yourself Like a Toddler.
Anything that you would make sure is in line for your child, you should make sure you have for yourself. Ensure that you are comfortable, well-fed, and as happy as possible with any given situation.
Here are some ways you can show yourself a little self-care this month and beyond.
1) Get Enough Sleep
Sleep! Such an elusive mistress to parents of young kids.
I really can’t complain. Both of my kids are early to bed, early to rise, but then again, so am I. When my one-year-old was waking up through the night, I would sometimes go to bed as early as 7 pm, just to make sure I was as well-rested as possible. Now that he has a more condensed sleep schedule, I find myself staying up later and later to do “just one more thing.”
While I was telling myself that I was getting close to 8 hours of shut-eye most nights, my FitBit tells me otherwise. I’ve been closer to 6.5 hours per night. No wonder I am desperate for my coffee in the mornings!
So, reflecting on my sleep patterns is showing me that I am the roadblock standing between myself and a solid eight hours.
How I’ll Improve my Self-Care:
Taking a cue from Gretchen Rubin, I have set an alarm on my phone for 8:35 pm (on work nights, to start) to remind me to start getting ready for my 9 pm bedtime.
2) Be Active
No matter your interests or fitness level, try to find a way of moving that feels good to you and that you enjoy. Everyone should be active for at least a few minutes most day for overall health and well-being.
For the best mental boost, take the focus off calories burned, and just focus on how you feel. My younger kiddo loves being outside, so we go on a lot of walks. My daughter is part mermaid, so she and I will swim whenever we get the chance. I try to get a focused block of exercise (strength training, yoga, or barre) most days of the week because I feel better when I do that. I mentioned in a previous post that since I’ve been aiming to get 10,000 steps every day, I’ve been walking a lot while listening to podcasts.
My active “me” time is some of the most precious time in my day. It helps me both focus and unwind – feeling ready to take on the day.
Plus, movement can help your insides function better. It can help lower insulin resistance, bring blood sugar to a desirable level, and manage cholesterol. Strength exercises can help improve bone density and encourage independence with age. All around win!
How I’ll Improve my Self-Care:
For about six weeks, I’ve been working to get 10,000 steps daily. Some days have been easier than others, but it’s still a goal!
3) Choose Nourishing Foods
When we choose nourishing foods most of the time, our bodies feel great! We are giving them lost of vitamins and minerals they need and not overdoing it too much for any one macronutrient. (PS – for a starting place for nourishing foods, enter your email on the bar at the top of my webpage!)
When we choose foods that don’t agree with us or don’t plan for nourishing foods, our bodies let us know. We are sluggish and worn down, we aren’t satisfied with our choices (which can cause pantry raiding) or we are so over-full, it makes self-care tip #2 much more difficult.
How I’ll Improve my Self-Care:
I’ve mentioned several times how difficult is has been for me to shift from meal planning for a family of three to a family of four. I’m not sure why it’s been such a struggle, but I aim to ensure that we have plenty of nourishing foods throughout the week and family meals as often as possible.
4) Take at Least Two Hours Each Week for Yourself
To be the best version of ourselves, we need to make sure we are decompressing in a way that feels good for us. Whether that’s increased planning so we have a smooth week, reading, meditating, kayaking, shopping, drawing, or whatever it might be, make sure you give yourself the chance.
How I’ll Improve my Self-Care:
I am still working on this one – I know it’s necessary, but with younger kids, it’s really hard to find the time for set aside. Maybe during nap time during the week when my oldest is at school I can start to work in more decompression time.