Author Sue Augustine wants to know,
Are the joys of motherhood robbing you of daily joy?
Do you feel overworked, underpaid and seriously underappreciated?
When was the last time your had a “time-out”?
In her book, 5-minuted Retreats for Moms, she offers dozens of ways for busy moms to not only de-stress, but find little things we can do to bring some pleasure to our lives. While most of the retreats take more than five minutes, the point is we should take time out for ourselves. I’d like to share some of my favorites from the book in upcoming blogs. But if you can pick up a copy of the book, I would highly recommend it because there are so many good tips. Selecting which ones to include was difficult. Today, I’ll share with you just a few ways moms can take a “time-out”.
First, the author points out that establishing some “mommy space” and spending time away from our children plays an important role in how we interact with them. Also wanting to spend time away from our kids does not make us bad mothers. We need this time (we deserve it!). A mom that burns out is of no use to anyone.
Much in the same way that kids have their own rooms where they can retreat to and some fathers have their own space, moms also need a space of their own. A place where they can have some alone time. It can be a spare room, a sitting room, a corner of your bedroom, etc. The object is to make sure everyone knows that while you are taking a time out in your space that you are not to be disturbed. You also want to make your space cozy and decorate it with accessories that are inviting and relaxing.
Another way to have a time out is to take a quick walk, even if you’re only able to walk around the exterior of your house. Sometimes, getting outside for a breath of fresh air is all you need to refresh yourself.
When was the last time you flew a kite? The author suggests we should do just that or find other ways to enjoy the sensation of the wind. For instance, if you have a convertible, drive with the top down and don’t worry about your hair getting mussed up. Or simply stand outside when it’s windy and enjoy the wind on your skin and in your hair.
Something as simple as working on a jigsaw puzzle, even if you can only work on it a few minutes at a time each day, can do wonders.
Finally, here’s one I especially like and that’s to have a lunch date over the phone with a friend. So often when we become mothers we lose touch with our girlfriends, especially if they don’t have kids. One way to remedy this is to plan a time when you can talk uninterrupted on the phone. The author suggests setting up a time and agreeing that it’s okay to eat while talking. You and your friend can have tea, coffee or a soup and sandwich while you catch up. Just vary the dates and time to accommodate your schedules.
Stay tuned for more retreats in future blogs.
Photo Source: lisawomble