What is self-care for stay-at-home mums?

As a stay-at-home mum you spend all your time looking after others, but how much time do you spend taking care of yourself? Self-care for stay-at-home mums always seems like one of those things you'll get done "one day" doesn't it? There's just so much other stuff to get done that self-care is probably last on your list. In fact, what is self-care for stay-at-home mums? Well that's why I'm here today, read on to find out how you can take care of yourself while still taking care of your family.



The importance of self-care for stay-at-home mums




When you spend your days taking care of others it's easy to just keep going, even when you don't feel like yourself. You fill the washing machine, wash the dishes, clean the countertops, and tidy up the kids toys without a thought for yourself. You make sure the kids are sent off to school with packed lunches (or sorted for school lunch), and you buy all the things you need to make a wonderful dinner for the family. And then you start on the daily chores.


What Is Self-Care For Stay-At-Home Mums? | Forget the chores and concentrate on yourself for a change.



But, making time for self-care - giving yourself a time out - does wonders. Just the fact that you're thinking about no one but yourself can give you some relief from stress. It may sound selfish, but sometimes that's what you need. No matter what activity you choose to do the act of giving yourself some time instantly makes you feel better. And what's more, if you plan the self-care time you can even get excited about it before hand.

Why not listen to a few of these TED talks to learn about the importance of self-care.





When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.

Benjamin Franklin





So why is self-care so important?




Gives you a break from stress - whether it's the kids driving you nuts, too much laundry to get through (hello washing mountain!), or simply the day-to-day tasks of being a stay-at-home mum, the stresses can get you down. By taking a break from all that you're giving yourself a little relief and stepping away from the stress. You will feel lighter, and maybe even be able to cope with more as a result.

Time alone - Do you ever get any time alone? When was the last time you read a book? Or had a bath uninterrupted? I'm lucky to go to the toilet without interruptions and my boys are 10 and 14 - if your kids are younger I can imagine the interruptions are numerous. Getting that time alone is so important, it can help you organise your thoughts, it helps you calm yourself. Just stepping away from the to-do list and the needs of everyone else, and focussing on self-care, will make you happier.


What Is Self-Care For Stay-At-Home Mums? | Sit and drink a coffee alone. Get some peace.



Soothe yourself - Self-care is another way to soothe yourself. You can use a hot bath and relax for a while, or book yourself a spa day and enjoy a massage. Whatever you choose to do it's that soothing feeling that will make you feel so much better. It's a healing activity and when you're bogged down with to-do-lists and kids' needs it can feel like the weight is too much. By giving yourself time to heal, soothing time, you will feel 100 times better.

Inner happiness - This isn't the happiness you feel when someone asks you if you're happy, this is the inner glow, that thing that makes you smile inside. Self-care gives you that. And as the saying goes "Happy mums raise happy kids" - so why not make yourself happy?



Self-care tips for stay-at-home mums




  • Set time aside. Carve out some time during the day for yourself. It could be 30 minutes to read a chapter of your book, or it could be just 5 minutes to enjoy a hot coffee, but make sure to get a little time for yourself. Let the family know the time is for yourself and you're not to be disturbed. Let yourself indulge. Like Katrina over at Rule This Roost says "schedule it and follow through with it".


  • Spend time with friends. If you have young kids and a Hubby who works it can be difficult to set time aside so why not spend time with friends instead? If they have kids too you could take the kids to the local play centre and enjoy a coffee and a chat while the kids play. Chatting to friends about things that are bothering you, or just having a little laugh, will make you feel better and you'll smile.

What Is Self-Care For Stay-At-Home Mums? | Meet up with friends for a laugh, and some self-care.



  • Plan an exercise routine. Get up an hour earlier than everyone else and go for a walk (or a run if you like!). Once the kids are in bed head to the gym and run off that stress. Or find a local yoga class and take the hour for yourself. Exercise is a great way of adding self-care into your day, and while it may feel weird to start with you really are looking after yourself by being active. I recently started attending a yoga class on a Saturday morning and I feel so much better for it. It's not helping with the weight loss but it definitely makes me feel good. 


  • Engage in non-baby/kids related things. When your life revolves around your kids you can end up losing yourself. You forget who you were before you had kids and it's difficult to think of things to do when you're not being "mum". That's why doing non-baby related things is important. If you like reading pick up a fiction book - I'm loving Solitude right now. Step outside of your own world and into the fictional world. Have a hobby you used to love? Get back to it. Remembering who you were before you had kids will make you happy - and give you the break you need.





If you are to be a light for those you love, you must find ways to nourish yourself, to feed your fire and keep it burning.

Seed & Song






  • Shower. It's amazing the difference a nice long shower can make. I will often stand under the hot water and smile as I let the water flow over me. There is something particularly enjoyable about a long shower and when you get out and put on your favourite perfume or spray too it makes you feel a whole lot better. Washing your hair, styling it even, will make you smile too.


  • Dress nicely. If you get up every day and wear pyjamas and a dressing gown all day you're going to start to feel bad. If you wear the same things every day you'll end up in a style rut and start to feel bad about yourself. Instead of getting yourself in a rut take a moment to look at your wardrobe and pull out an outfit you love. It doesn't matter if it's for "going out-out" or just for hanging around the house, if it makes you smile - wear it! I have a lovely friend, Renee from Mummy Style, who helped me recently and she told me something I'll never forget - "dress the body you have, right now". And if you're struggling to find anything you love in your wardrobe check out Renee's Mummy Style Experience which includes a Wardrobe Cleanse and then she'll send you a gorgeous lookbook where she suggests clothes you'll love. She helped me with my wardrobe recently and now I love getting dressed every day - I even bought a new dress that I'll actually wear!

What Is Self-Care For Stay-At-Home Mums? | When was the last time you went shopping?
When was the last time you went shopping?


  • Resist the urge to clean. I know the feeling, you're sitting on the sofa having just finished your coffee and you're thinking "I really ought to vacuum the carpet" or "there's a load of laundry that needs doing". Then you get up and get on with the chores, forgetting you're supposed to be taking care of yourself. Self-care is about taking care of YOU, not making sure the cleaning has been done. Do your best to ignore the cleaning and enjoy a little time for yourself.


  • Don't feel guilty. This is one of the hardest things to master, especially when you're new to taking time for self-care. As a stay-at-home mum taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your family. Having a shower is not something you should feel guilty about. Wanting to read a book is not something you should feel guilty about. And wanting to enjoy a hot coffee in a morning is definitely not something you should feel guilty about. Allow yourself that time - guilt free.

What Is Self-Care For Stay-At-Home Mums? | Self-care - not something we ever think about, but maybe you should.



Self-care for stay-at-home mums is just as important as taking care of your family and getting the household chores done. Isn't it about time you scheduled time for self-care, the same as you do for the chores?



How would you spend your self-care time?




Become an Organised Mama and you'll have time for all the self-care you want! Grab the Organised Mama Pack, it has chores lists, a daily planner, and even a chores list for your kids (for you to fill in).



Post Comment Love 25th - 27th October

Are you ready for Post Comment Love? It's Friday so that means it's time for our little linky hosted by myself and Stephanie. We welcome all bloggers to share their posts with others and read what interests them. Will you be joining us?

Just a quick one from me this week as I've got the boys home for half term. It's been both a busy and an easy week this week. With Hubby at work, but the kids at home, I've been keeping busy by occupying them but I don't have to think about packed lunches and school schedules - which is a nice break.

One more week to go then they're back at school. And then before you know it it'll be Christmas! Eek! I can't believe I just said that!

Better get thinking about Christmas shopping...



Pocolo


Each week you'll be able to link up from either of our sites and between us Stephanie and I will comment on every post linked.

The rules; Link up your best post written in the last week and we'd like you to comment on at least two other linked posts, as well as the hosts. 

Help us spread the #PoCoLo word on Twitter and include the badge on your post.

Please do pop over and say hi to this week's Blogger Showcase. It's always nice to get a comment or two. 

If you'd like to be featured in our Blogger Showcase please do check out the questions and email your answers to us at postcommentlove@gmail.com.

Thank you for popping by.


Post Comment Love


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5 Top Reasons To Drive With Winter Tyres

Every year, as winter rears its ugly head drivers in the UK prepare themselves for the possibility of snow and ice. We buy de-icer for the windscreens, and we start the car 10 minutes before we have to leave. But how many of us think about changing our tyres for the winter? Here's 5 top reasons you should drive with winter tyres this year.



Why should you change tyres for the winter?


Okay, so thinking about changing tyres for the winter may be a bit of a pain. It may be more hassle than it's worth right? But there are real differences when it comes to driving with winter tyres, which I will cover below, but the main point is they keep you safe. With the holiday season approaching isn't worth considering?



5 Top Reasons To Drive With Winter Tyres | Buy winter tyres and stay safe this winter.



Better performance at low temperatures


The type of rubber used in winter tyres is different to that in regular tyres, and it performs better at low temperatures. The winter tyres don't harden in lower temperatures, which means better grip. This is obviously what you're looking for when it comes to winter driving. With snow, ice, or even just rainy roads in the cold you want to have the safest drive possible. 



Improved braking distances


With better grip comes improved braking distances - even in snow or ice. I remember roughly 10 years ago the winter was tough, it snowed - a lot. The roads were covered, lots of cars had trouble getting around, and one particular evening the Hubby and I went out and had some trouble of our own. As we drove around a corner the car slid and almost hit a tree - it scared me a lot and it made me realise how different it is driving in the winter. If anything can help with braking distances I'm for it.





Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius.

Pietro Aretino





Superior traction


Snowy roads are slippy, icy roads are worse, so something that could give your car superior traction is worth thinking about right? Driving with winter tyres will improve your traction on the road, they were made for the colder temperatures.



5 Top Reasons To Drive With Winter Tyres | Snow doesn't have to be scary - buy winter tyres and you can stay safe.



Fuel efficiency


We're all looking for ways to be more economical when it comes to our fuel efficiency and driving with winter tyres will help with that. Because the winter tyres were made for the lower temperatures during the winter your car is more economical when compared to driving with regular tyres.





To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.

Aristotle





Be safe


If there's one thing you should absolutely consider when deciding whether to drive with winter tyres this winter it's safety. With better performance at low temperatures, improved braking distances, and superior traction, it's fairly obvious that winter tyres are the safer choice. 


If my top 5 reasons to drive with winter tyres has convinced you you need some visit DAT tyres and book your winter tyres today!



Have you ever considered driving with winter tyres?


Collaborative post

How to routinise your self-care

Self-care is one of those terms that is quite popular at the moment. With people saying you should spend time on yourself, "it's okay to be selfish", and "spoil yourself occasionally", you can be fooled into thinking that self-care is more about treating yourself rather than looking after yourself. But for me self-care is about looking after me, making sure I take a shower, or have a coffee in a morning. It's about making self-care a part of my every day routine so that I don't even think about it. If you're having trouble with fitting it in below you can read about how to routinise your self-care.



How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Make time for a coffee.



Adjust your morning routine


Every day you roll out of bed and brush your teeth. Your parents taught you from a young age how important it was to look after your teeth right? And now you just do it, you don't even think about it - it's just a part of your routine. And you should think about self-care in the same way. 





Take time to do what makes your soul happy.

Unknown





Change or add to your morning routine by choosing activities that are just as quick as brushing your teeth. One of the reasons we don't stick to our self-care bits is because we think it takes too much time but by adding something quick to your morning routine you can fit it in and feel a little better. So, after brushing your teeth perhaps you should moisturise your face, or put on a little make up. Yes, you may be at home all day with the kids, or not be seeing anyone, but it may help you feel a little better about yourself. It will give you that little boost first thing in the morning, and we could all do with that sometimes couldn't we?



Routinise your self-care by making it easy


When you add new things to your routine I bet you give it up within a few weeks. It just drops out of the routine for whatever reason and a few months later you realise you gave up. And then of course you feel bad, or guilty, for dropping the new routine. 

One of the main reasons we give up on new routines or new things is that it's not as easy as we wanted it to be. Whether that's exercise (um hello treadmill covered in dust!) or promising yourself you'll do your hair every day. Sometimes it's just easier not to bother isn't it? And I totally get that - I do it myself. I get up and think "I'm not seeing anyone today so what's the point in doing my hair?". Then I wonder why I feel rubbish all day.



How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Take the time to do your hair every day.



So the answer is to make it as easy as possible to stick to your self-care routine. If doing your hair takes too long, or is too much hassle, try to think of ways you could make your hair look nice - but quickly! I love putting my hair in a bun - I have really thick hair and it's a pain to put up in a bun so I bought a roll thingy to use. I can't even remember the name of it (it could be a donut?) but it's amazing (and they're cheap) I put my hair in a ponytail, add the roll and wrap my hair around it then add a few hair grips. Then I'm done. It takes me 5 minutes and my hair looks like I've spent some time on it. That's a good win to start the day.



Exercise is self-care - make it a routine


You may hate it, you may think it's a waste of time but it's important and it's another way you take care of yourself. The key is finding the exercise you enjoy. Find something you like to do, like walking, and make it a part of your routine. It could be an exercise class - one of my friends like to dance and she attends a clubercise class every week. She gets to dance and stay fit while looking after herself. I like yoga - it's a calming exercise and helps me to take time for myself as well as getting exercise. It's an hour that is completely for myself. 



How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Take an exercise class, meet new friends.
An exercise class is a great way to get out there and make new friends too.



Build your exercise into your routine - if it's a class attend every week, if it's going on the treadmill give yourself the time. Making exercise a part of your routine is acknowledging that you need to take care of yourself. 



Routinise your journal writing


Writing in your journal should become a ritual, a little time you give yourself to vent. To write everything down, to get it out of your head and onto paper where you can either ignore it or deal with it. 



How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Write in your journal every day - it'll make you feel better.



Maybe you write in your journal whenever you get the chance, but this may mean that you end up with days going by without getting the chance. So try scheduling time for your journal writing - it could be in the morning after the kids have gone to school, or at the end of the day before you go to sleep.



Stick to your routine


As with everything the more you do it, the better you'll get. Do your best to stick to your routine and it will become like brushing your teeth - not something you think about, you just do it. In a morning you'll get up, brush your teeth, moisturise, and do your hair - maybe even put on a little make up. During the day, or in an evening you'll attend your exercise class, and then before sleep you'll write in your journal. It will just be the thing that you do, rather than having to make yourself do it.





An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.

Unknown





If you forget about new routine things easily then try setting reminders on your phone, or leave little reminders around your house. And most importantly don't beat yourself up if you forget something.



Leave the guilt behind


Forget about the guilt. Guilt is what makes you feel bad all the time, whether you take time for self-care or not. It's time to get rid of that guilt and free yourself. If you want to spend an extra 5 minutes on yourself in a morning that's okay, the kids can cope for 5 minutes. If you want an hour to attend an exercise class that's not only okay - it's awesome. You're deciding to take care of your health, and that can only be a good thing. 



How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Feel good, smile.



Take care of yourself by ditching the guilt.



Keep promises to yourself


When you promise yourself you'll take that extra 5 minutes in a morning - do it. Imagine you're keeping a promise to your best friend if it makes it easier but be sure to do the thing you promise yourself. Make you a priority.



How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Make self-care a part of your routine and you'll be a happier woman!



Self-care is essential, and while sometimes it's easy to push it to the back of the queue, eventually you'll end up feeling worse. Making self-care part of your routine will help you in the long run.



Further reading


On the topic of routinising your self-care I came across a great post over on Life Goals. In How To Create A Daily Self Care Routine That You'll Actually Stick To the writer talks about how to make simple choices and also gives a few ideas of things you could add to your routine.

I love list posts and when an article lists lots of ways to spend time on self-care it becomes one of my favourites. That's why I loved the post over on Wholefully.com from Cassie where she shares 51 Self Care Ideas to Kickstart Your Self Care Routine. There's lots to read through and some great ideas for you to add to your self-care routine.



How will you routinise your self-care?

How To Routinise Your Self-Care | Become an Organised Mama to have more time for self-care!