How to Unwind and Prioritize Yourself as a Busy Mom

Do you feel like your mental health has taken a bit of a blow lately? Maybe you feel as though you are too busy and just don’t have time to fit everything in. Either way, this guide will help you to know what changes you can make, so you can ensure that you don’t end up struggling more than you need to because you simply aren’t making time for yourself.

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Put Yourself First

One of the first things you need to do is try and put yourself first. Your body budget and the amount of sensory input you can handle will diminish as the day goes on, and this can lead to you snapping and being shorter with people than you should be. If you want to help yourself here, then one thing you can try is unwind a little so you can calm down your nervous system a little bit. One way to do this would be for you to try and make sure that you are getting some alone time, so you can focus on giving yourself the time you need. If you have older kids, then you can ask them to watch your younger kids for the afternoon so you can have some time alone. You can also ask your partner to have the kids for a while. 2 hours is usually what you’ll need to have enough time to do something and to stop yourself from feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Resting should be part of your job, and as soon as you focus on this, the sooner you will get the results you need.

Acknowledge Yourself and What You Need 

You also need to take the time to acknowledge yourself. Remember that sometimes, you’ll be so overwhelmed that you can’t handle everything, and there is nothing wrong with that. With that said, you also need to make sure that you are not being too hard on yourself. Do away with mom guilt and make sure that you are not focusing too much on what other people think. If your kids sit in front of the television a lot, then there is nothing wrong with this, if they are happy and getting enrichment from elsewhere. If you stretch yourself too thin by trying not to give your kids screen time, then this will ultimately work against you, and it will leave you feeling more burnt out than you need to be. If you are angry all the time and unable to regulate your emotions, then this will be more detrimental to your kids than them having more time to go on their favorite game or watch YouTube. If you can keep this in mind, then it will help you a lot, so keep that in mind.

Relax a Little

If you are someone who takes a deep breath but feels like every muscle is still so tense, then you may need a little help when it comes to relaxing. If you want to try and help yourself, then one thing you can do is do a quick body scan. It may be that you start at the top of your head and then work your way down. You may also want to focus on how each part of your body feels. If you do this, then you can get in touch with yourself way more, and you can also make sure that you are not struggling more than you need to over things. 

Beware of Comparisons

Another thing you need to do is try and stop comparing yourself all the time. Sure, some people look like they have it all together, but they don’t. It’s a good idea for you to avoid scrolling through social media to relax as well. This can be very triggering, and it’s the last thing you need. When you scroll through social media, you may find that social media ends up making you feel worse about yourself, as people’s homes may be pristine, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t struggle. If you see a family picture that is perfectly composed, then again, you may feel like you aren’t doing enough, but this is not the case at all. You may also find that you end up comparing yourself to other people if they are thinner than you as well, but again, all of this can be avoided if you simply take the time to avoid social media in the first place.

Keep a Journal

It’s also a good idea to try and keep a journal. When you do keep a journal, you can document when you are feeling stressed or low. When you can pinpoint the times when you are struggling, you may find that it is easier for you to deal with the source of the issue. If you find that you are more stressed in the morning, then it may be that you sign your kids up for a breakfast club so you have more time to focus on the things that matter to you. If you find that you are feeling a little low in the evenings because you are so burnt out, then it may be worth trying to create a bit of a routine so you can add a pampering session at night. By doing this, you may find that you can focus on making the right changes without adding even more overwhelm to your schedule.

Read a Book

If you want to unwind and prioritise yourself, then another thing you can do is try and read a book. The great thing about reading a book is that it allows you to transport yourself to a world that is far different from this one. If you aren’t sure whether reading is for you, then this is understandable. One thing you can do to ease yourself into it is to find a book that you feel is short and easy to get through. When you have some quick wins under your belt, it is then much easier for you to go from there and get into reading as a whole. Even though you may find that downloading books on an e-reader is a good way for you to get access to a lot of books, it’s important to know that there is something special about being able to hold a book in your own two hands. You may find that the tactile response of being able to turn the page is good for your mental health as well, so be sure to keep that in mind if you can.

Play Games

If you want to feel the stress melt away, then another thing you can do is try and play games. The best thing about playing a game is that it takes your mind away from the current moment, and it allows you to focus on something else for a change. If you don’t feel as though you have time to play games, then it’s a good idea for you to try and seek out games that are easier to do. It may be that you look into doing a word search, or that you look up crosswords. These are all very good ways for you to find ways to unwind without taking too much time out of your day. The great thing about games like this is that you can play them on your phone as well. By doing this, you may find that you can fit more games in and that you can take your mind off whatever it is you are worried about, even if it’s just for a short period.

Have a Hot Drink

Another thing you can do is have a hot drink. The best thing about having a hot drink is that it allows you to focus and recenter yourself, so you can focus on making yourself feel better. By doing this, you may find that it is easier for you to relax and that you can also make sure that you are taking time for yourself. It only takes a few minutes to have a hot drink, but when you do, you will soon find that it helps you to unwind and get away from the stress you are under. Of course, if you are not a fan of hot drinks stone it may be that you take a few minutes out of your day and focus on having a cold drink instead. It may be that you have an iced latte or that you have a smoothie. Either way, if you make yourself a drink, then you will find that this is a good way for you to show yourself a standard of self-care and that you can also take some much-needed time for yourself, which is always a good thing, especially if you’re struggling with overwhelm.

Why not see if you can make some positive changes for yourself today by following the above tips? When you do, you will notice a notable difference in the way you feel.