How Taking Care of Yourself Makes You a Better Mom
Mothers sacrifice everything for their kids – their sleep, health and social life. It’s natural for moms to put their kids first and neglect themselves which can have a devastating and long-term impact on the entire family. You want to give your kids the best of everything – so start by giving them the best of you! This will require intentional choices where you have to put your needs first which, let’s face it, is often easier said than done. Life as a mom isn’t about extremes where it’s either all about your kids or it’s all about you – the secret to being a happy mom is in finding a balance that works.
You will have higher energy levels
Stress triggers the production of cortisol which causes your muscles to tense up. This is a natural reaction which is meant to guard against injury and pain. However, if you remain stressed for a long period, your muscles do not release their tension. This is why a lack of energy is one of the most common symptoms of stress. Taking care of yourself will help to reduce your stress levels which will increase your energy levels. Kids have tremendously high energy levels so this simple step will go a long way in helping you keep up with your kids.
A happier mom is a more loving parent
When you’re unhappy or stressed, you’re more likely to snap at your kids. After a while, even small problems seem insurmountable and you stop appreciating the little things. When you are happy, you learn to take the good with the bad and remain calm and loving through it all. A recent study found that a mum’s level of happiness has a direct effect on her child’s mental health. The researchers also found that moms who had a high level of happiness when their baby was 9 months old were more likely to maintain a higher level of happiness when their child became a teenager.
Your kids learn from example
Whether you’re trying to reduce your kid’s screen time or raise money-savvy kids – the golden rule is lead by example. This means that if you want your children to grow up to be happy well-adjusted individuals, you need to show them the way. You can’t avoid irritation and anger and your kids will take their anger management cues from you. Does this mean that you need to bottle your anger or it is healthier to vent your frustrations? Although most of us fall back to these old unhealthy habits every once in a while, the healthy thing to do is to calm down and have a conversation about what’s upsetting you so that it can be resolved.
Self-care strengthens relationships
Self-care is essential for maintaining good mental, emotional and physical health. These aspects are essential for strong and healthy relationships. Without regular self-care, every aspect of your health will start to deteriorate. You are more likely to experience depression and anxiety as well as weight gain and psychosomatic conditions. This is likely to take a toll on all your relationships and even strain family bonds. Taking care of yourself will help you become a stronger person with greater resilience, patience and understanding.
Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms
- The first step towards caring for yourself is to make your diet a priority. Too often, moms spend their time creating gourmet meals for their kids and then just rely on a burger or pizza for their meals. You need to follow a healthy diet so plan ahead.
- Meal prep over the weekends so that you can cook healthy meals on a daily basis.
- Regular exercise is equally important as it not only helps to improve your physical healthy but also reduces stress and improves your mental health. You require a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week – which amounts to approximately 30 minutes of exercise per day.
- You should also put aside at least 15 minutes of “me time” every single day – just to relax and center yourself.
- Treat yourself to a spa day every once in a while or hire a babysitter and go out for dinner with your friends. It’s important to have a social support system so keep in touch with your friends.
Being a good mother is not about how much you sacrifice or how much of yourself you lose while raising your kids. Social media might lead you to believe that anything short of perfection is unacceptable which is why you strive to reach unattainable goals. Don’t believe the hype! Focus on what’s important and strive to live a balanced, healthy and happy life.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
