As a mom of three children, life is busy. I have found that if I don’t take the time to relax, I become irritable and unproductive. In reality, it is difficult to take that time but it is also necessary as a busy mom.
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How to Relax as a Busy Mom
Often, I have to wait until the little guy is asleep, either down for a nap or for bedtime. These are ways I intentionally relax, doing one or a combination of the following.
Drink a Cup of Hot Tea
A cup of spearmint tea hits the spot when I need something to sip on. Sometimes I want something other than water, especially late at night. It’s also a chance to put my feet up for a few minutes. I especially like the spearmint tea because it is also soothing on an upset stomach.
Soak in a Hot Bath
I take hot baths, even at the protest of my dry skin. The heat does wonders for my achy feet. I’ve found that when I’ve had too much sodium or sugar, that I have to take a hot bath to calm them down for bed. Adding Epsom salt with essential oils or a mineral soak not only aids in eliminating the ache. It also returns the moisture back to my skin that the heat wants to remove. My favorite moisture mineral soak is one that my daughter gave to me as a Mother’s Day gift.
Read a Book
I enjoy reading. Sneaking in pages of reading has become second nature. I read while the kiddos are playing or late at night while I’m bathing or winding down for bed. I will read non-fiction or fiction based on how I’m feeling and what I am expecting in return. Sometimes I need to read to learn or be encouraged. Other times I need to escape into an imaginary land back in the 1800s.
If I only have a few minutes to myself, I will grab my Bible and read a few verses to set my mind right. God’s Word has such an uplifting and energizing effect when I don’t feel like I can keep my eyes open. God is good like that.
Listen to Music
Often when I am feeling overwhelmed doing housework or need to take an escape but can’t get away, I will turn on some music. If the background noise (kiddos, television, etc.) is too noisy, I will put one ear bud in and listen to the music on my phone. I can still hear the kids but the music is just loud enough to calm me. Choosing Christian music also gives me an inspirational kick where I need it most.
These are the ways I relax as a busy mom. Often times, it’s after the kiddos go to bed. Other times I choose what I can do in the midst of the chaos.
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These are great tips. I’ve found the best way for me to relax this summer is to take my kids to the pool and sit in the shade while they swim and write. It helps that they are older (the youngest is 9), so they don’t need constant supervision. I can just scan the pool every few minutes and make sure they’re safe.
I love to sit in silence. Noise pollution really gets to me. Thank goodness for earphones so I don’t have the girls listening to music out loud!
I’m learning to like sitting in silence – it’s really calming
I do just about all of this. Plus…we have “the rain rule.” When it rains, mommy gets to sit on the porch either by herself or in peace with whomever wants to come but it will be silent! Listening to the rain. ???
I need a rule like this.
I’m a full-time working mom and pastor’s wife. Boy oh boy, how I need to learn to intentionally relax. Rest usually comes from complete depletion. Thanks for the tips.
I really need to relax… I’m going to use some of your tips and try to incorporate them into my day. I get so caught up in work that I completely forget about myself. Even though my kids are all grown, I still need me time.
Oh, yes you do!
Nice resource for taking well needed time out
Great advice! I also like a cup of tea and a hot bath. Sets my mood straight.
I have a hard time relaxing. If I do sit down to relax I usually fall asleep! I do love reading and listening to music though.
Sleep counts! I need to add that to my list. It seems like I don’t get enough of it anymore.
Great post thanks for sharing these great ideas for a nice little mom time out.
All great ways to relax! Moms really do a lot, and deserve some quality time to themselves <3
This is a great reminder! Half the time when my husband gets home I’m wound so tight I’m going to snap!
I really needed this, have three little kidlets and studying and seems there is just never time for me! So thankyou!!
You’re so welcome, Carmel!
Ok, in the interest of fairness – we need one for us guys! We like to relax a little too!
Okay, you are right! My hubby enjoys watching The Walking Dead and football for his relaxation. What are yours, Scott?
There are plenty of ways to relax, depending on what helps you relax. What’s important is that you make time for yourself especially since you’re also taking care of the whole family. You need a break too!
Reading is one of my favorite ways to relax. Lately, I’ve loved reading a good book while stretching on my yoga mat. Great for the brain and the body! 😉
Love this! I am all about reading a good book and sipping on a cup of hot tea or coffee!
Great advice. I haven’t taken a nice long bubble bath in years but I do have to admit I take long hot baths whenever I can sneak them in. Reading and listening to music are things I do often.
I love these tips – I’m a sucker for some Sleepytime tea w/ honey. Also a huge fan of hot baths, using the aromatherapy line from Bath & Body Works. Other than those, I listen to podcasts while driving. It takes my mind off the commute and helps while doing mundane tasks at work. I’m especially into the true crime ones – they’re so addictive!
I will have to try the sleepytime tea.
Love these tips. I’m bad at making time for me and definitely need to do a better job of that.
Tea and reading are definitely my go-tos (although it’s sometimes hard to manage to drink my tea while it’s still hot)! I’ve also found (as crazy as this probably sounds) that starting my morning by getting my daughter some breakfast, turning on some music and washing all the dishes from the day before is such a relaxing and refreshing way to start my morning. I feel like I’ve accomplished something and we start our day with a clean kitchen sink.
I can’t seem to get my dishes done at night, so I may try this.
Great advice! I’m such an advocate for self-care for moms. It’s so so so important to take care of ourselves first so we can be at our best for our families. 🙂
The human mind is the origin of all the happiness and sorrows of the human life. The person can be very happy or very sad, just based upon the condition of his mind. If we think whatever happens in our life is for our good in long run, the sorrows would vanish from all our lives. All our desires are born in our mind. And when we fulfill one desire, the second desire would come and thus, there will not be any end to such desires. Our entire life passes away in fulfilling such desires. In spite of that, we still remain unhappy at the time of our death, thinking that so many of our desires have still remained unfulfilled. Hence, the best option for all of us is to keep our mind in control so that more and more desires do not originate in our mind. Just as we all need some vacation in life every year, our minds also need such vacations to relax.
I love listening to Christian music too and relaxing with a cup of coffee. God’s word is always are refuge to me. Thanks for sharing.
Love all these. They are effective indeed. I love me some tea and calming music.