There’s no doubt about it, being a mom is a hard job. Whether it’s one kid or multiple, the daily tasks can take a toll on a mom's mental and physical health. Mothers deserve to have some “me time” to decompress and care for their own well-being. Every mom is different when it comes to what they need to destress and how much time it may take but we have some tips and tricks that all moms will love. Read on for the ultimate guide to mommy “me time”. 

Declutter and Organize

Decluttering and organization are things that typically need to be done on a regular basis. Consider this time “me time” as you’ll be fully focused on these tasks instead of your typical mom duties. It’s known that cleaning can help with anxiety and help manage stress. This can be a form of mindfulness — which we will further discuss later on — that can help take your mind off the stress and focus more on the task at hand. For example, while you’re washing the dishes, focus on the warmth of the water and how the soap feels on your hands. At that moment, you may start to feel a sense of relief.

Not only can doing your typical household chores help calm you, but finally working on managing your money can significantly decrease your financial stress. Finances can be one of the most stressful and difficult things to deal with depending on your comfortability with money and personal situation. Prioritizing the time to work out your finances and develop a management system you can maintain will help immensely. Start by paying any and all bills to keep your credit score in line, then move onto working on a savings account and a strict budget to keep your finances in check. All these tips are elements of a proper financial management system that can help you approach future investments with confidence and reduced stress. Should you plan on purchasing a new home or car in the future, knowing your qualifying credit score and budget limits ahead of time will help avoid financial stressors from cutting into your “me time.” 

Find a Safe Space

Finding a safe and comfortable place to decompress in your home is extremely important. You need a room where you can be alone when you have free time, even if it’s for five minutes. Many moms use their bathroom in order to shut themselves off for a few minutes, but others try and dedicate a room just for them. In these rooms, you should figure out what triggers you and remove it. It may be noises, certain harsh lights, or even clutter in general. You want this room to be as calming as possible.

Not only should you remove the negative things in your safe space, but add the positives. Try an essential oil diffuser or a Himalayan salt lamp to create a peaceful atmosphere. Maybe a calming sound machine that you can listen to for a few minutes while you take some deep breaths. These techniques could help you avoid a mama meltdown and bring you back to a calm place.

Work on Mindfulness

As we discussed earlier, mindfulness is an amazing technique that can help transform motherhood. When overwhelmed, it’s common to feel like there’s nothing that you can do to settle down which sends you into a meltdown. Maybe the simple exercise of deep breathing isn’t helping and you need to try something a little different. Mindfulness is an act of meditation where you become fully present in what you’re doing and notice the sounds, feelings, and sensations of your surroundings. Being mindful of all these things can help you recenter yourself. This may take some time to master, but once you’ve become an expert at mindfulness, your life will definitely change for the better.

A few mindful activities you can do to help ground yourself are eating, walking, taking a shower, and drawing. While you eat, pay close attention to the smells, tastes, and textures of your food. When walking, breathe in the scents around you and feel the fresh air on your face. In the shower, be mindful of the warm water rushing through your hair and the feel of the shampoo in your hands. When drawing, pay attention to the way the pen feels in your hand and the way your drawing comes to life. A simple task like this could take mere minutes, but can significantly decrease your stress level.

Not only will these tips help you when you’re feeling stressed, but can also be a preventative activity during your mommy “me time”. Of course, your kids are your top priority, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself too. Make time for yourself so that you can be the best mom you want to be.