I can hear my child crying. My husband is babysitting so I could relax and spend a few minutes indulging my secret wishes and desires which include showering on my own and lying on the floor looking at the ceiling. Bliss.
Why, then, instead of enjoying my free time, I am listening intently and trying to decipher my child’s cry? Is she hungry? Might she be in pain?
Wait a minute! I am off! I am officially off duty for another... 2 minutes. Back to Zen.
Does it sound familiar?
If it does, then you’ll know that it's not easy for a mom to switch off.
A burn out amongst mothers is higher than amongst corporate office workers.- Motherly
As mums, we have our default setting on our children’s needs. Especially when they seem in distress.
Our brain is hard-wired to hear them at night when our husbands are snoring louder than the kids are crying.
We can tell when they are hungry or grumpy for no reason.
Sometimes we expect their fall and jump out with our arms outstretched before they hit the ground.
That’s what being a mum is all about - being there for your child, 24/7 or even more.
But not being able to switch off at all might have dire consequences for our mental health.
According to an article on Motherly, a burn out amongst mothers is higher than amongst corporate office workers. That statement made me double my efforts to ensure I rest when I can.
We should always remember this simple truth - rest for mums is not a luxury - it’s a necessity.
In order to help our family, we need to help ourselves first. We need to ensure that there are a few minutes in a day where we are not mothers, wives, cleaners and cheerleaders but humans who need a bit of 'me time'.
Even 5 to 15 minutes can make a difference. But we cannot spend those precious minutes scrolling our phones aimlessly, getting even more fatigued. The researchers call it 'technoference' - technology interfering with our lives and making us more tired.
I’ve compiled a few daily routines and rituals to help us unwind and have a quality ’mummy time’. This is by no means an exhaustive list, just my take on ‘me time'. Feel free to drop me a line with your daily rituals.
1. Shut that door for the best me time.
Sounds simple, right? But if we don’t - someone might barge in and our special ‘me time’ will quickly turn into a playdate in an unfamiliar room. With scented candles and a glass of wine, but a play date nevertheless.
By shutting the door you will enjoy the most harmonious music in the world - silence. Bathe in it for as long as you can. Let it cure your ears and head from never-ending requests to play, read or feed. Shut that door and be happy.
2. Invest in noise-cancelling headphones.
Consider putting earphones in if you stay in the same house as your family. This is especially true for the current times. It might sound over the top to some, but the walls in modern houses are very thin, so you will thank me afterwards.
Noise-cancelling head/earphones are amazing! They are as useful at home as they are on the tube or on the flight with a screaming child sitting next to you (unless the child is yours).
3. Turn the music on.
Whatever you feel is needed. I don’t believe there is such a thing as suitable music for relaxation. Different people relax, listening to different genres.
I, for instance, can only relax when upbeat music is playing - give me Abba or Lady Gaga anytime and I won’t be able to stay still. But I will feel better afterwards. Calm music makes me edgy for some reason... You choose whatever works for you, it’s your time.
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. – Confucius
4. Master breathing exercise.
Simple deep breathing exercise can help us relax. A relaxed body is less tense, so it lets go of stress a bit. Theresa Cheung in her book '21 rituals to change your life’ mentions that deep breathing can even make you happier.
A quick rest from constant 'mum, mum!’ can calm you down. Imagine if you could also leave that room feeling happier! A bonus!
Resting for mums is not a luxury - it’s a necessity.
5. Cultivate happy thoughts.
Do something that makes you happy. Even if it’s for 1 minute only. Be it a quick yoga pose, a cheeky cup of hot chocolate, reading a poem out loud while doing a headstand, cat videos on YouTube or daydreaming!
Whatever it is, as long as you enjoy it - it is still self-care and me time.
“The light music of whisky falling into glasses made an agreeable interlude.”―James Joyce, Dubliners
6. Doodle or colour as a special me-time treat.
Try it. You don’t need more than a few minutes to doodle something silly and relaxing. Just go with free doodle (like freewriting), don’t overthink. If you need ideas - Pinterest will come to your rescue with myriads of inspiration photos and boards.
But you might want to save a few doodling ideas on your phone prior to that, not to waste any of your precious seconds on scrolling. If you are not a massive fan or colouring or doodling - try these art therapy ideas, you might find something that excites you.
Final thoughts.
It does not matter what you do during your well-deserved 'me time' - as long as you spend this time doing what you like and enjoy.
Or learn from your kids - they know how to have fun and how to relax (little wise Yodas).
The goal here is to feel a little more refreshed afterwards. Happy Mum, Happy Baby, as Giovanna Fletcher would say, in her famous book on motherhood and how to survive it.
Do you manage to have any time for yourself at all? What are your favourite ‘me time’ rituals?