A special shout-out to all the superbusy mums out there!
Whether you’re a working mum, a stay-at-home mum, or both, making time for yourself is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Even when it’s difficult because you have a lot on your plate from the moment you wake up.
Between driving the kids to and from school, cooking all-day meals, sorting piles of laundry, and keeping the entire house clean, there’s hardly any time left to care for yourself. Worse yet, you may no longer feel like yourself and develop a short temper and a lack of desire to spend time with your family. That’s a red flag right there.
But what can you do? It just seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day, right? To be honest, there’s no harm in deferring some of the tasks to later or on another day. It’s just a matter of determining which ones. You’ll see how to go about it later.
What matters is that you can relax and unwind for at least 10-20 minutes per day. The more, the better. Don’t worry if you don’t know how or when to find that special time. Here are some ideas for squeezing in some ‘me time’ into your hectic schedule.
Take a Walk Around the Neighbourhood
You may not have time to drive to the park or the gym, but you should be able to find 15 to 30 minutes to walk around your neighbourhood. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, as long as you get that short break. It’ll do your health and well-being justice.
Save Time on Your Tasks
There is a wide range of methods for you to save time on household chores. These will give you more time for yourself. Some methods to do so include batch cooking to organising belongings, and planning a week ahead. Motherhood Malaysia also had the opportunity to interview a wonderful influential mum for International Women’s Day, who shared her experience of avoiding burnout by finding ways around unproductive activities and chores she dislikes.
‘Me Time’ Early in the Morning
Try to get up 30 minutes to an hour earlier than the rest of your family. This may not be suitable for those who work until late at night. But, if you could do so, use that time to pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a hot beverage, do some light exercise, meditate to clear your mind, or even read something enjoyable.
Hang Out with Your Friends or Fellow Mummies
What better way to spend your ‘me time’ than with friends who could benefit from the same break as you? Get a babysitter or leave your kids with your spouse for a while so you can enjoy your time outside. Having a good time doesn’t mean that you’re forgetting about your kids at home. It’s simply a way for you to de-stress and take your mind off the stressful tasks for a while. You’ll feel a lot better after this session.
Play Your Favourite Music
Assume you’re swamped with housework and possibly working from home. There’s no way you’re going to find time to go out, but you desperately need a break. No worries, just make a playlist of your favourite songs and blast it while you’re in the shower, doing the dishes in the kitchen, or working on your laptop. Sometimes, music is all you need to make you feel better.
Take a ‘Me Time’ on Any Break
Whatever break you have in the middle of your chores or work, make the most of it. Even if it’s only for five minutes, it can help you relax and recharge. If you have more time, such as after dropping your children off at a music class or a taekwondo session, you don’t have to linger around to wait. Spend that waiting time outside, doing whatever you want. Perhaps you can drop by the nearest mall for a quick window shopping.
Unplug and Do Nothing
Sometimes all you need is a day doing nothing and going nowhere. Forget about your plan for the day and simply sit in the living room or stand by the window (make sure no one is around when you do this). You need all the peace and quiet you can get, so turn off the television, smartphones, and anything else that might distract you. You can use your alone time to self-reflect and clear your mind.
Find ‘Me Time’ to Restore Yourself
If you can’t, try harder. Remember, you must maintain a sense of balance in life to improve your overall health, both physically and mentally. When you give yourself some ‘me time’, you’ll be able to pay attention to what your body and mind needs.
Life will always be busy and chaotic, so make time to unwind, clear your head, and get back on your feet. Regardless of how intense your schedule is, keep these tips in mind and try to squeeze self-care activities into your routine. You deserve it, mummies!
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