Tips for Slowing Down for Busy Mothers

Okay, friends, it has been a crazy week over here. On top of the typical holiday prep, the twins came down with the flu. It was a wild ride involving 3 consecutive nights where they wouldn’t sleep unless they were in my arms. I can’t accurately explain what it is like trying to sleep with 2 one-year-old toddlers in your arms, but suffice to say, it didn’t involve much sleeping…

On top of that, our big annual wreath making workshop is tomorrow. I am so excited for it, as always, but it adds another layer of complexity to my week. However, the twins are feeling much better today and after tomorrow, once the workshop is over, things are going to slow down. And with that, so am I. For the remainder of December, I absolutely refuse to be swept up in holiday madness or stress. I am going to slow down, enjoy time with my family and friends, and embrace the true reason for the season.

All of this has me thinking about slowing down in general. Whether it is the holiday season, or any time of year, it is so important that we–especially mamas–carve out intentional time for ourselves to truly slow down.

It is essential to take some “me” time to wind down. Otherwise, your energy and general mood will take a major hit. It’s also so important that you don’t feel guilty when you do! Here are six tips to help us busy mothers hit the “pause” button now and again.

1. Schedule Time to Cook a Homemade Meal

Frozen meals and microwave dinners are quick, easy, and convenient but also quite unhealthy! Apart from the high fat and sodium content, such meals are deficient in nutrients and high in calories. Rather than continually eating such food, which leads to unwanted weight gain, fuel your body with healthy homemade meals.

There are plenty of tips to help make things easier. Follow this process to have homemade meals almost every night without spending a huge amount of time:

• Devote some time on Sunday nights for meal prep; focus on sides, as they are usually the most time-consuming aspect
• Spend just 10 minutes each night making a protein, such as chicken or fish
• Store foods in glass containers as they last for days
• Make several servings at once
• Freeze a few servings, allow them to thaw the night before you plan to eat, and reheat them in an oven if you don’t like microwaving food
• Buy frozen chopped vegetables and pre-chopped meat
• Invest in a crockpot, digital pressure cooker, and mini food processor

2. Treat Yourself to a Relaxing Bath

This one is much easier to schedule than you think. Inform house members that you’re planning a bath and need 60-90 minutes alone. Do not respond to anything, except emergencies of course, and truly enjoy your alone time. If you have young kids, ask your partner or a friend to take care of them while you are soaking in your bath.

Create a ritual involving candles, gentle music, and essential oils. Consume some CBD calm gummies to accentuate the feeling of relaxation.

3. Set Aside Exercise Time

The process of exercising releases endorphins that help you feel good. Many moms make the mistake of thinking they need to join a gym to exercise. However, the sooner you realize that the world is your gym, the better. Instead of pounding away on a treadmill, go for a job on a pleasant fall morning, and you’re far more likely to enjoy the process.

Don’t forget bodyweight exercises; these will strengthen your muscles and help you take another step towards “supermom” status. Quick but not easy bodyweight exercises include:

• Stationary lunges
• Squats
• Push-ups
• Pull-ups or doorway rows
• Glute bridges
• Planks

Exercise 3-4 times a week for at least 20 minutes. However, don’t be afraid to wrap things up when you hit the ‘minimum’ time. It’s much better to leave a little energy in reserve; you also decrease recovery time by exercising sensibly.

4. Schedule Relaxation Time

Apart from your bath time and exercise sessions, take another 30+ minutes of ‘me’ time daily. Do whatever makes you feel happy, but NO screentime! This could mean mindfulness, a lie-down, or a gentle walk through the neighborhood. The important thing is that you enjoy this time without disturbances.

Some moms enjoy the pleasant lightness provided by delta-8 products. They find their favorites to enjoy and then use them shortly before their relaxation period is due to start.

5. Limit Commitments

Sure, you want to bring your child to piano class and swimming lessons while also taking them to every playdate that they get invited to, ever. However, take a long look at activities on your to-do list that aren’t essential and be ruthless in eliminating them. Seeing your never-ending list suddenly become more manageable is a real psychological benefit.

6. Say ‘No’ & Mean It

‘No’ can be the hardest word to say for moms. However, you must learn how to say AND mean it. Otherwise, your schedule will always seem like a mountain you can’t scale. Focus on only saying ‘yes’ to things that are important to you, your friends, and loved ones, and say ‘no’ to trivial things you either don’t want to do or don’t have time for.

Final Thoughts: Moms Need ‘Me’ Time, So Don’t Be Afraid to Take It

Ultimately, nothing will change if you don’t take the necessary steps. There are 168 hours in a week, and once you remove non-essential things from your schedule, free time is suddenly available. Use it to relax and de-stress. Plenty of busy moms turn to cannabidiol to help them feel calm. However, before entering the saturated market, check out this list which outlines the best CBD oil on the market. Think of it as yet another way to save time.