Self-Care for Mommies: 7 Best Ways to Spend Your “Me” Day

There’s arguably no one in the world who needs a “me” day more than mothers. Considering that they play many different roles without getting any kind of formal compensation, it is only right that they get the rest and relaxation that they deserve.

If you’re a mom, you’ve probably experienced feeling tired all day. There may even be times when you feel exhausted even as you wake up in the morning. This is likely due to the invisible workload of motherhood – the unseen mental checklists moms have in their heads that help them make sure their children are nurtured and ushered into adulthood in the best way possible.

While your commitment to your family is very commendable, you must never take yourself for granted. After all, how can a tree offer shade and fruits to those who are in need if it doesn’t get the proper nutrients it needs?

From enjoying a luxury dinner at a fine dining restaurant to shopping to your heart’s content, here are seven of the best ways you can spend your “me” day:

1. Dump the Your Invisible Workload on a Bullet Journal

One of the primary reasons why mommies get stressed out from all the unseen workload is because they have no outlet to pour their thoughts into. Often, they only keep mental notes that pile up, and, eventually, lead to mental exhaustion.

Besides talking to your spouse, friends, or relatives, you can also try dumping everything in your mind into a journal. Bullet journaling is an excellent way of coping with the overwhelming number of tasks and thoughts you’ve been juggling in your head.

Consider doing a brain dump every week and write down everything that’s been going on in your head in bullet form. This is different from writing a diary, of course.

A bullet journal is good for a wide variety of things, including:

  • Listing down your tasks every week or every month

  • Tracking your mood and feelings

  • Keeping your schedule spread out evenly to avoid overexertion

  • Reminding yourself of your short-term and long-term goals

  • Jotting down workout or fitness routines

  • Keeping tabs on your self-care efforts

2. Try Retail Therapy

If others tell you that you’re only making excuses to squander away money when you spend your “me” day at the mall, don’t listen, because they are wrong. And it is also more likely that they haven’t heard of retail therapy before.

As the name suggests, retail therapy is an alternative method to relieve stress. This also means that going to a shopping mall has certain benefits for your mental health.

In fact, researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered that retail therapy is 40 times more effective in allowing people to feel a sense of control. Moreover, they found that those who actually bought something for themselves are three times less sad than people who only browsed some items.

The best part is that shopping helps you live a healthier life by keeping your blood pressure and heart in check.

3. Unplug and Disconnect

Sleep is your body’s way of repairing itself and recovering from a day’s worth of activities. Of course, resting is not just good for the body – it is also necessary for your mind.

But how can you give your brain a break if you’re constantly checking your email or phone?

It is important that you disconnect from these things on your “me” day. Let your coworkers, friends, and relatives know that you’ll be taking the day off from everything and won’t be responding to any messages or receiving calls that aren’t considered emergencies until the following day.

If you feel like it, you can also keep your gadgets turned off for an entire day. That’s 24 hours of disconnection from screens and worldly responsibilities.

Of course, this doesn’t just apply to phones and laptops. You also need to avoid reading or watching the news and anything that may keep you “plugged” into what’s happening every day. Keep in mind that those things will still be there tomorrow, and what you need to focus on for your self-care day are yourself and your well-being.

4. Get Some Quiet Time

Sometimes, the best “me” days are those that are spent in peaceful silence. Rather than thinking about how well you can make the most of your self-care day and coming up with a dizzying list of activities you need to accomplish, embrace the quiet.

Think about what you want to do, and not what you need to.

Whether it’s taking a stroll through the park or baking a pie for yourself, go ahead and do it. You can even visit your backyard garden, sit down on a comfy chair with a glass of Chardonnay in hand, and let nature surround you with peace.

5. Meditate

Another quiet time activity that can effectively raise your spirits and reinvigorate your mind is meditation.

This can come in any form – from listening to calming music to sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed, to taking deep breaths and focusing on quiet energy. You can also try chanting affirmations or mantras as you breathe in and out to help focus your thoughts and put things into perspective.

6. Pamper Yourself

Spa days are probably the most popular ways to help mommies relax and unwind. From foot spas and a manicure to getting a full-body massage and having your hair done, choose the best way to pamper yourself. It may not be the same for everybody, so you can choose anything that helps you relax and feel yourself again.

Don’t scrimp on treats just because you think they are a bit expensive. Remember that your health and wellness are tied to how relaxed and rejuvenated you feel, and that is something you cannot put a price on.

7. Allow Yourself to Feel Joy

As a mom, your primary responsibility is to your children. But while most people think that parenting often involves putting your child’s needs above yourself, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up too much of yourself.

Remember that if you sacrifice too much, you will cease to be the parent your child needs you to be, and you won’t be the person you ought to be. The key is to maintain a balanced view of your responsibilities as a parent and as a human being.

Otherwise, when your “me” day arrives, you won’t be able to maximize it since you’ll be consumed by your guilt. To let this nagging feeling go, think about the result of self-care: a more productive, calm, and patient you.

Think of Yourself

A giving tree cannot continue offering its shade or fruits if it has nothing left. This is also true for mommies. To make sure you don’t lose yourself in the invisible workload and self-sacrifice, take care of yourself and relish your much-deserved time off from all the responsibilities you carry on your shoulders. Take advantage of shopping mall offers, book a spa treatment, spend some time on your own — any (or all) of these can help you nurture your best self.

AUTHOR BIO

Hisham Elzubeir is the Marketing Manager at Doha Festival City, the largest entertainment, fashion, dining and shopping destination in Qatar. The mall has more than 400 international and local brands, including some of the most anticipated names, many of which made their Qatar debut, such as Harvey Nichols, Charlotte Tilbury, Kiehl’s, Dior Beauty Boutique, ACE and IKEA. Hisham brings over 15 years of international expertise to the communications team at Doha Festival City.