Moms, Make the Most of Your Day (and More)

This Sunday is Mothers’ Day, and Moms everywhere will be enjoying gifts of flowers and cards, breakfasts in bed, and general well-deserved appreciation.

And then Monday comes. All of us Moms go back to work – making sure the kids and spouse leave for school and work on time, running errands and buying groceries, cooking and cleaning… It’s another 364 days until our next holiday.

Fellow Moms, I’m going to propose something radical. After our kids pamper us on Sunday, let’s take over and keep it going. How can we pamper and take care of ourselves for the next 364 days?

Make Time for Activities that Make You Happy

What are ten things you love to do? How often do you get a chance to do them? Most likely not as often as you would like. Pull out your calendar and schedule time for you to do the things that you love. You deserve to enjoy all of life as much as everyone else.

Manage Your Energy

Over-functioning and over-commitment are the biggest drainers of our energy. Learning to say “no” is one of the most important self-care skills. Write down your priorities and values. Ask yourself if your daily life reflects these or if you are spending time and energy on unimportant things.

Rebuild Your Reserves

For all the energy we use, we need time to rebuild it. Rest your mind and body with meditative activities such as yoga. Treat food as fuel by eating regular, healthy meals. Keep your body in shape with a balance of strength, cardio and flexibility exercises. Remember, you can’t take care of anyone else if you haven’t taken care of yourself first.

Create Healthy Connections

Relationships are an important part of a fulfilling life. Support your relationships by being present in the moment. Turn off distractions (phone, computer, TV), focus your attention to what’s going on around you, and be 100% here. Let go of worrying about the past. Stop mentally reviewing your “to do” list over and over. Be here, and see how it changes your relationships.

Change the Negatives to Positives

We tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else. Are your expectations realistic? We all want to be “Super Mom,” but what is that expectation doing to our happiness and enjoyment of life? It’s not about being perfect – it’s about doing your best in the moment with the given circumstances and what you know. Take this as an opportunity to role model a healthy mindset for your kids.

This is a good start, but now it’s time for you to take control. What can you do to make the most of your day, every day? We would love to hear from you! Share your thoughts on our Facebook page and let’s keep Moms’ Day going all year long!