Finding Me Time (When You Have NO Extra Time)

We know times are tough, and finding "me time" is even tougher in our current state of "normal." But, it's sooooooo important for you to take care of your own mental and physical health while you're busy taking care of everyone else's. Here are some tips on how to sneak some mice needed mamma-TLC into your life. Me time can help ease anxiety and reduce stress during these chaotic times wreaking.

1) Set your alarm for an hour before the kids wake up. Enjoy your coffee, tea, or lemon water - warm. Take 5-10 min to soak up the early morning sun and just breath. Or even sneak in a shower where you can shave your legs and blow dry your hair, in peace. Use this time to cherish the calm before the storm. Savor the silence, your clean house, and your sanity before the kids destroy this peaceful moment.

2) Take a mental break during nap-time, if your kids still take them. Don't watch the news, don't login to social media; in fact, put that phone down mamma. Try something relaxing, like reading a couple chapters of a book, opening an adult coloring book and actually using it, make a vision board, journaling what you're grateful for, writing out your goals and dreams for the next few months, sit on your porch and soak in some fresh air; just take care of yourself during these hectic times, Mamma.

3) Practice mindfulness + meditation. When you find a few minutes of quiet time (which typically involves the rest of your house sleeping), cuddle up and listen to a meditation, l Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your life can help reduce stress and ease anxiety, allowing you to relax and reset, and even may help keep the immune system functioning optimally. Get into the routine of setting aside time for yourself, in peace and quiet, where you can tune into your thoughts and your breath. Women are jugging A LOT right now, especially, and it's more important than ever to take care of mom's mental and physical health. Meditation can help relieve tension and stress, help us re-connect with ourselves to recharge, improve our focus, and allow us to dive into grace and gratitude.

4) Tuck the kiddos in a little early so you can breathe & reset. Create a wind-down routine for yourself after your kids are tucked in. Do a face-mask, give yourself a mani/pedi, eat the chocolate that you've hidden from them, or dive into a Netflix or Hulu show you've been wanting to watch.

5) Try to set a routine and stick to it. And by routine, I don't mean you have to follow that perfectly color-coded homeschooling schedule seen online to a tee; we mean, focus on the same wake-up times every day, the same meal times, the same free-play times, learning times, bedtimes, and the things that help you keep your sanity, not lose it. Do the best you can, where you are, with what you have, period. Moms have SO MUCH on their plates right now, and it's impossible to do everything. Set small goals for the day or even the week, and focus on those -- and what you can control -- rather than what you can't. Like when the heck schools will finally be open again and when people will finally all stay home so we can save lives and get back to living.

6) Move, every day. I repeat, MAKE SURE YOU ARE MOVING YOUR BODY EVERY DAY. Exercise is SO important for your mind, your body, and your overall well-being...your immune system, your physical health, your stress levels, and your mental health all depend on exercise, which stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals produced by the body to cope with pain or help relieve stress. "Endorphins are often called 'feel-good' chemicals because they can act as a pain reliever and happiness booster," says Medical News Today. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, find a secluded trail go for a for a hike, see if your favorite instructor is doing LIVE Zoom workouts, go for a run, or stretch your body before bedtime.

7) Get into nature, soak up vitamin D, and breathe in fresh air.While we have to social distance to slow the spread and pause any group activities like having backyard bbq with friends and family, there are still a lot of things to do at home, in your backyard, or out in nature with your quaranteam to avoid going stir crazy or getting cabin fever. Here are some ideas for families: hike a local trail with your family, plant a veggie garden in your backyard (if you can get access to seeds), do yard work you've been avoiding, go on a walk around your neighborhood, do backyard yoga or meditate in the sunshine, play catch, play 4 square, jump on the trampoline, decorate your driveway with sidewalk chalk, go for a bike ride, take the dog to run in an open field, or visit a local nature preserve.

8) Eat healthy to keep your immune system strong. Incorporate fresh fruits and veggies into every meal and make sure you're consuming nutrient-dense foods to give your body the proper amount of vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.  Focus on eating more fruits, veggies, nuts, lean meats/fish rich in omega-3s, and whole grains, while staying away from processed foods as much as possible.

9) Limit news-watching and time on social media. While it's important to stay informed on current happenings to keep you and your family educated and safe, the American Psychological Association found that, for many Americans, news consumption has a downside; More than half of Americans say the news causes them stress, and many report feeling anxiety, fatigue or sleep loss as a result, the survey shows. Yet one in 10 adults checks the news every hour, and fully 20% of Americans report 'constantly' monitoring their social media feeds — which often exposes them to the latest news headlines, whether they like it or not. And, while stress can cause harm to our mental health, it can also cause a detriment in our physical health, too. Cortisol, have been linked to inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and other serious health concerns.

10) Plan a virtual happy hour, activity, or date with your friends and family. Maintaining a sense of community and connection with those that mean the most to us so important, especially during these uncertain, trying times. Carve out time for your friends during shelter-in-place orders; a positive social circle is good for the body and soul; so is laughter and connection. Looking for some much needed you time, join us for our networking events.

11) Up your water game & stay properly hydrated. Women, on average, should drink about 11 cups of water a day. Staying properly hydrated is good for the skin, aids digestion, helps keeps joints lubricated, helps balance blood sugar and body temperature, and helps your body flush toxins

12) Make your own sleep a priority, just like you make your kid's sleep a priority. Did you know that more than 60% of women fall short of getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night? What are some things that can help with an increased quality of sleep? Many of the tips listed above, such as regular exercise, managing stress, and building healthy habits, overall. Quality sleep is important for all mom's well-being.

What steps are you going to take this week to find YOU time in your busy schedule.