6 Relaxation Tips For Busy Mums
Who is busier than us mum's?
It's not easy to find time for ourselves with careers, children and homes to care for and it’s no wonder most of us are feeling burnt out all of the time. Hopefully these tips will give you a few ideas about how you can still relax and get the sleep you need.
As we know a mum’s work is never done. We care for everyone else but who takes care of us? For now, we will just have to help ourselves.
Get some sleep!
Sleep is important. It is during sleep that the body shuts down all non-vital systems and repairs itself. When we slack on sleep, we are doing ourselves a disservice. It is hard to make up lost sleep, and most adults need at least eight hours a night.
But how? I hear you saying,
For moms, the trick is often getting to sleep. Our minds reel with the day’s activities and what we have to do tomorrow and I know from personal experience getting 8 hours sleep with so much going on is near impossible.
To quieten the mind, relaxation tips are needed. It is not just a matter of getting rest but preparing so that sleep is restful and not just a bunch of tossing and turning, so check the next few tips to help you unwind enough to get the quality sleep you need and deserve.
Yoga – Usually exercise is discouraged before bed. Vigorous exercise gives you energy a bit like caffeine, and can prevent sleep. But, yoga is a stretching exercise that relaxes the body one muscle at a time. Practicing yoga an hour or so before bedtime can prepare you to rest when you need to. (As myself and the family are the usually the ones to trial most of grandads new stock I use DVD's from the THS Publishing Collections for this.)
Massage – Enlist your loving partner to help. Try a warming oil to help make the experience that much more relaxing. A simple ten or fifteen minute kneading of the muscles that carry the most tension during the day (neck, back, shoulders, head and arms) can help drain away stress.
Warm bath – I do this every night. It's not often most moms get the time to take a quiet, relaxing bath, especially if your children are small like mine. A few years ago I realized the only way to do this was to wait till the kids were asleep! I started by putting them to bed slightly earlier each night so that I have the time to relax before I do anything else.
Try turning your bath into as much of a spa experience as possible. Light candles around and use scented oils in the bath. Soak and allow the oils to relax you. Lavender or chamomile are brill for relaxation.
And if I'm really struggling to unwind I also use meditation music or guided meditations while I'm in the bath. I know it's not for everyone but it definitely makes a difference for me. I use the Audio Adrenaline Collection.
Have a cup of tea – Herbal tea at bedtime can help get the ball rolling towards a restful night. Let's face it we always complain that we never get a hot cuppa, so drink it slowly and enjoy it!
Practice deep breathing techniques – First, concentrate on your breathing. Practice slowing your breathing down and making it deeper. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. You can sit in a comfortable chair or lie in your bed to practice. Before you know it, you’ll be sleepy and ready to take a snooze. For me I also use this when I'm overwhelmed, feeling stressed, in pain or just quite bluntly at my breaking point with the kids or hubby. So give it a try it can really help.
