My grandmother died recently, and although she was 101 and in hospice, so we knew she wasn't well, if threw me off. Life can throw unexpected things our way, making it difficult to stay on top of our mental, physical and emotional health. When we are thrown off by the unexpected, we often get overwhelmed. Our emotions can show up in many different ways. This time, for me, I didn't really want to do anything and had low energy.
I've learned over the years that it's ok to take time to feel your emotions. It is ok to take a break. So I did. Here are a few things that are helping me get through. Looking at holistic approaches to combat the stressors of everyday life can be extremely beneficial!
Here are some holistic options to use when life happens:
- Essential Oils - Studies suggest that essential oils can help reduce stress and improve sleep. Try diffusing calming scents like lavender or orange in your bedroom or living room for a calming aroma and a sense of comfort.
- Prayer & Meditation - Taking time for prayer and/or meditation every day is an incredibly powerful way to start and end each day on a positive note, as well as helping you stay connected with God and yourself on a spiritual level. Even just five minutes of uninterrupted time spent in stillness can make all the difference!
- Get Support From Friends & Family - When life throws you curveballs, having people around us who truly understand us can be invaluable in reducing stress and anxiety levels; why not call a friend or family member for a chat when things get tough? And getting physical hugs from loved ones can be a miracle worker when we need it, so let yourself melt into a hug and feel the comfort it brings.
- Be Mindful Of Your Diet - Eating nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains provides the body with essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats needed for proper functioning — so try to swap processed foods with healthier alternatives wherever possible! These can often be quick and easy to prepare, and they make you feel so much better overall.
- Find Time For Self-Care - When times are hard it’s important to remember that taking care of ourselves should always remain a priority — so make sure you schedule in ‘me-time’ regularly; take a nap, go for a walk, go out for lunch with friends or take an hour off to enjoy your favorite hobby!
Life happens to all of us, and can throw us out of our groove. Adopting these holistic practices into your daily routine may seem daunting at first– but stick with them and you’ll likely notice a positive shift in your wellbeing soon enough!
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Being a mom is the most rewarding job in the world. But let’s face it, it can also be incredibly emotionally and physically draining. That’s why today, we are talking about the unspoken secret of being a mom: mom-brain. Let’s explore the science behind this all too common phenomenon.
The Science Behind Mom-Brain
The term “mom-brain” has become popular amongst moms to describe when they feel like their brain is foggy and their memory isn’t what it used to be. To some extent, this is normal for any person who gets less sleep than usual or experiences high levels of stress. But for moms, this feeling seems to occur more frequently because there are always little ones around needing care and attention that can easily take precedence over everything else.
Hormones also play an important role in why being a mom can feel so draining on the brain. During pregnancy and after childbirth, hormonal fluctuations can affect your mental state as well as your energy levels. Hormones like oxytocin (which helps you bond with your baby and causing you to focus on his/her needs) and cortisol (which is released during stress and overwhelm) are especially important in this regard – both come into play when you become a mom and can make the experience even more emotionally taxing than ever before, especially if you do not have a good support system. All these work together to create mom-brain.
The Impact of Self Care on Mom-Brain
It’s easy for moms to get caught up in taking care of everyone else first before themselves – but that won’t help you stay energized! That’s why taking time for yourself every day is essential if you want to avoid feeling drained all the time as a mom. Taking just 10 minutes each day to do something you enjoy – whether it be reading a book, going for a walk, or just meditating – can help restore your energy levels and improve your overall mental health. Holistic approaches such as yoga, meditation & prayer, proper nutrition, herbal remedies, essential oils – whatever works best for you - should also be part of your self-care routine to ensure that you remain happy and healthy while parenting small children!
Ask For Help
Moms need more support, period. Spouses must step up - ask and be specific with what you need, whether it's washing dishes, folding laundry, or enabling you to take a break. Extended family and friends in the area are usually more than happy to help out - just ask. If you don't have a village to help and support you, start now to develop friendships. Join a church, community organization, or bookclub, go to the library or the park, or reach out and meet your neighbors. This may seem counterintuitive, since it takes time and energy, but when you develop friendships, you will have support when you need it, and you can also reciprocate! Create your village.
Being a mom is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world but unfortunately, it can also be pretty draining at times, causing the all too familiar mom-brain. Understanding why being a mom is so emotionally taxing will help you manage better through those tough moments! From hormones to lack of sleep and everything in between, there are many reasons behind why being a parent feels so exhausting sometimes - but don't forget that self-care and support play an important role too! If you take some time out everyday for yourself and have others helping, then chances are you'll be able to handle the anything that comes with motherhood better than ever before! So go ahead and give yourself some much deserved TLC - because when mama's happy everybody's happy!
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Being a stay-at-home mom is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding, yet exhausting jobs you can have. Whether you are new to being a stay-at-home mom or have been doing it for years, chances are that you’ve experienced the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes with the job. Let’s take a deeper look into why being a stay-at-home mom can be so exhausting.
The Physical Exhaustion
Being a stay-at-home mom means that your entire day revolves around taking care of others—your kids, your spouse, and even your extended family. From waking up early to get breakfast ready for everyone in the house to making sure all activities are taken care of throughout the day and still having energy left to put the kids to bed at night, staying at home with your kids can be physically draining. When you have infants and toddlers, there is a lot of bending, lifting, and carrying, and that is all in addition to burning the candle at both ends when they are up at night. Even if you don’t need to leave the house during the day, there is still plenty of physical labor involved in running a household such as laundry and cleaning. In addition, if you do decide to go out in public with children in tow, there will likely be extra running around—literally!
The Emotional Exhaustion
In addition to all the physical labor involved in caring for your family as a stay at home mom, there is also an emotional toll that can come with it. No matter how much you love being home with your children and family members, it can still be emotionally taxing because of all the demands placed on you every day. Not only must you provide food and shelter for your family but also make sure their emotional needs are taken care of as well. This means constantly checking in on them emotionally and finding ways to bring joy into each day no matter how exhausted you may feel yourself.
It can also be emotionally draining when trying to figure out what works best for each member of your family—every person has different needs and wants which means that finding ways to meet those needs without sacrificing too much of yourself takes time and effort. And let’s not forget about trying to find time for yourself! Taking breaks away from parenting duties often gets pushed aside due to exhaustion or lack of time or resources but carving out “me time” is just as important as taking care of everyone else!
Being a stay-at-home mom certainly isn't easy but it can absolutely be worth it when done right! Although it's impossible (and unhealthy) not to experience any exhaustion while raising children at home full time, understanding why this feeling comes up can help us combat it more effectively by finding ways to better manage our time and prioritize our own needs alongside those of our families. With some self reflection and simple lifestyle changes we can make sure we take care of ourselves both physically and mentally so that we can enjoy our journey as moms even more!
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Missed Part 1? See it here.
As moms, we are often so focused on caring for our families and taking care of responsibilities that we forget to take care of ourselves. But if you want to stay healthy and balanced, it is important to practice self care every day. Here are three of the best daily self care rituals for moms that can help you feel more centered and energized.
Meditation/Prayer.
Taking a few moments out of your day to engage in prayer or meditation can help you clear your head, reduce stress and anxiety, and find inner peace. Prayer is a powerful way to connect with something greater than yourself and draw strength from the divine source. And meditation can be an effective tool in calming your mind while also allowing you to tap into your inner wisdom. I always recommend journaling along with meditation and prayer to process your thoughts and inspiration.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries as a holistic remedy for many ailments, but they can also be used as part of a daily self-care ritual. A few drops of essential oil on the wrist or neck can provide aromatherapy benefits that bring about relaxation, reduce stress levels, and even boost mental clarity. Additionally, essential oils can be diffused throughout the day to create a calm atmosphere in your home.
Exercise
Exercise is not only good for physical health; it’s great for mental health too! Studies have shown that regular exercise can lead to improved cognitive functioning, better moods, improved sleep quality, reduced stress levels, increased energy levels, and improved overall wellbeing. My favorite is dance fitness/zumba - I love to rock it out! Taking just 30 minutes out of your day to go for a walk or jog or do some yoga or stretching exercises can make all the difference!
Self care rituals don't have to be complicated or time consuming; they just need to be meaningful enough so that they become habitual practices within your daily routine. Meditation/prayer, essential oils, and exercise are all great ways to find balance in life as a mom – even if it’s just 10 minutes each day devoted solely towards taking care of yourself! When we take time out for ourselves every day – no matter how small – it helps us show up as our best selves for our families and ourselves!
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Being a mom is one of the most rewarding jobs out there, but it can also be incredibly draining. Some moms even burn out. Between caring for your family, managing the household, and taking care of yourself, it’s no wonder why many moms feel like they have no time left for themselves. That’s why it’s so important to take time to refresh and recharge—not just for the sake of your own health, but also in order to be the best mom you can be. Let's look at a few of the ways that holistic moms can stay refreshed.
Self-Care Rituals
It may sound cliché, but self-care really is essential for every mom. Without taking time for yourself, you won't have enough energy or enthusiasm to take care of your family. Make sure you're getting enough sleep each night, eating healthy meals throughout the day, having a daily self-care routine, and practice some sort of self-care ritual at least once per week (like getting a manicure or facial). Doing something that makes you feel special will go a long way towards helping you stay refreshed and recharged. See more Self Care Rituals here.
Start a Hobby
Having a hobby is another great way to refresh and recharge as a mom. Hobbies don’t need to be expensive or time consuming; they can be anything from gardening to reading books. Even something as simple as going on daily walks with your dog can help you clear your mind and recenter yourself after an exhausting day with the kids. Having something that is just yours—something that isn’t related to work or parenting—is essential for recharging your batteries.
Say “No” More Often
One of the hardest things about being a mom is feeling like everything has to be perfect all the time—but this isn't realistic! It's okay (and even necessary) to say “no” sometimes when friends or family ask for favors; this will give you more time in your day to focus on yourself and your family without having extra obligations on top of everything else you are already doing. The key here is not saying “yes” out of guilt; if someone else needs help, let them know what resources are available outside of you so that both parties can win!
Taking care of yourself should always come first—especially when it comes to being a mom! Refreshing and recharging doesn't have to be complicated or expensive; it simply requires finding activities that make YOU feel special and fulfilled while still making sure all other obligations are taken care of first. Self-care routines and rituals, starting hobbies, and saying “no” more often are all great ways for holistic moms to stay refreshed so that they can continue being their absolute best selves!
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Any purchase made is a blessing to my family at no extra cost to you!
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