Time for Me

A mother can learn how to relax just by watching the father.  It is something that comes natural for Dear Old Dad!

Ok Moms, no one is going to tell you to take time for yourself.  Here are some simple and quick ideas to take some time for YOU: 

Playdough – Homemade Recipe (Make this a hyperlink to the recipe).  This is my all time favorite and of course, I use my kids as the excuse for making it but I am the one who plays with it the most.  The best stress reducer I have ever found.  Love it!

Crayons & Coloring Book – Yep, that is right.  I know you have some of your kids coloring books around.  Grab one when you need a moment to relax and color in the pictures.  Very calming and relaxing.

Journaling - Start writing your thoughts, feelings, dreams and goals.  I was never the type of person to write in a journal but I started a journal three years ago and I love it.  It provides me with the reality of how much I accomplish or not as well as remembering some real treasured moments that have slipped my mind over time.

Candlelight – For those of you who remember the Calgon commercial “Take me away…”.  Draw a bath put some candles around, some music, bubbles and away you go.   Candles have a soothing effect and regardless of when and where you use them, they simply set the tone. 

B R E A T H E – From Barbara Close, founder of Naturalpathica Holistic Health Spa in East Hampton – Sit comfortably eyes closed, belly relaxed.  Slowly inhale through nose, visualizing lungs filling with oxygen.  Breathe in for a count of 4, hold for 1, then exhale for same 4-count.  Repeat for 3 minutes. 

Scentsational -  Keep a cotton ball sprinkled with a calming scent (baby powder, cinnamon, whatever you like in a plastic bag in your purse.  When stress strikes, duck into a private space and deeply inhale the scent for 30 seconds, which will shift your mind into mellow mode.)

Aromatic steam shower - In a small bowl, filled with clean stones, put 8 drops of your chosen essential oil.  Place the bowl on the floor of the shower, out of the spray, steam will activate oils, releasing the scent.  Breathe deeply.  Enoy.  (Lemongrass and peppermint = Energy  – Rose and lavender = Calm/Relaxation).  

Magazines -  Magazines are one of my favorite past times.  They provide quick reading and information.  I savor them when they come in the mail as I do not have the luxury of reading uninterrupted while at home.  Once I find a magazine I like I buy an annual subscription.  There is a true cost savings to do this as opposed to buying it at newstand cover prices. 

Books – I save my book reading for my commute to and from work which for me is a one hour trip each way. Check out the Goodreads section below where I list some of my favorites.

Here are three for you to start with: How to Avoid the Mommy Trap – by Julie Shields, Ice Cream for Breakfast:  If you follow all the rules, you miss half of the fun, Pamela Allardice 365 ways to do less, have more, and feel good.

Pictures – go through your albums, start a scrapbook page, sort your pictures by event and/or date.  Hey, if you only make one page for your scrapbook, good for you.  Do not turn this into a project if that was not the original intent.  Some experts say that just looking at pictures can bring a sense of joy and calm to an individual.

Smile – According to this Buddhist exercise conjuring up your inner smile will put you in a happy more relaxed mood.  Imagine something that makes you smile but just feel the smile internally, letting it travel from your mind down to all your internal organs.  This is something you can do at anytime, it is quick and private and no one will know you are getting in some me time.

Here are some ideas to allieviate stress:

Self massage moves from owner Stephanie Lakhani of the Breath Wellness Spa in Boise, Idaho.

• 1 minute – smooth lotion in to your palms, clasp your fingers and rub the heels of your hands against each other in a circular motion.  Then use your fingertips to knead the hollow spaces above your wrist bones and the webs between each finger.  Finally, press your thumb and forefinger into the meaty area between the thumb and index or middle finger of your other hand, a calm-inducing reflexology technique
• 5 minutes – attack those knots.  Place a tennis ball on the floor, lie on it on your back and “roll out” the knotted areas of your shoulders and neck,
• 10 minutes – let heat sooth you.  Fill a thick athletic sock with rice and tie off the opening.  Zap it in the microwave for a minute or two (be sure to check it at 30 second intervals).  Then roll the warm sock back and forth over your tensed up muscles in long strokes, using just a little bit of pressure.

Plan the next spot for vacation – I know just reading those six little words have already put you in a different mood.  Even if it won’t happen for another year or two just thinking about your next vacation and what you want to do and where you want to go becomes exciting in itself.

Plan a gathering of friends or family

The challenge – step out of your comfort zone and learn something or do something you always wanted to do.  Learn a language, take a dance class, create a Facebook page, volunteer.