This is post three of a three part series I’ve written about how to survive as a single mom. I hope you’ve enjoyed the series up until now. It’s been so much fun bringing this information to you. If you’ve missed Part One or Part Two, you can go back at any point and read the entire series.
Today, I’m bringing you Self-Care tips. This is something that most moms tend to put on the back burner. Especially Single Moms. We do everything for everyone else and place ourselves on the bottom of the list. May it be from lack of time, lack of resources, or simply exhaustion, we don’t do a good job of taking care of ourselves.
When we think of Self-Care, we tend to think of indulging ourselves with expensive massages, facials, shopping sprees, and lounging around eating chocolate. While all of these things are wonderful, for most single moms, these things are out of reach. We are so busy! Work, home, kids, cleaning, paying bills, grocery shopping, homework, AHHH! It is so much!
I’m going to give you some easy-to-do, quick tips on how to make sure you are taking care of yourself. These things don’t require a lot of money or time and you can build them into what you are already doing today! Self-Care really is about taking the time to do the small things everyday to better yourself and help you become a better mom.
Nutrition
Your nutrition is so important. I know how easy it can be to grab something quick, hit up the drive-thru, or simply not eat. But, what you eat does effect how you feel. It determines your energy levels throughout the day, can help prevent you from being ill, and sets a good example for your kids. So take the time to properly grocery shop, prepare meals, and take your food to work with you. It is worth the extra few minutes of doing so.
It can also be more cost effective to prepare food in advance instead of buying food at work every day. If you receive benefits, make sure your making the most of them by purchasing healthy foods- bags of dry rice or beans, veggies and fruits that are not pre-washed/cut, bulk meats. Avoid sodas, chips, cookies, and things that are empty calories.
Rest
Proper Self-Care requires periods of rest. This may mean sleeping when your kids sleep or taking a rest period when you are away from your children. If you have a small support system or no help at all, then work on that first! Start meeting other moms, step outside of your comfort zone and make new friends. This can be a great way to eventually be able to trade off babysitting with another woman so that you can both have times of rest. Whether you need a nap, or just a few hours of quiet time, proper rest is so important to your mental health.
There is no way that you can go 100% all of the time without taking a place to rest. You will eventually crash. Being exhausted could end up making you sick, or leading to extreme burnout. Being burned out can cause you to have a dip in your performance at work, or act impatiently with your children. I know that when I am extremely tired, I am not the mother that I want to be, and that is a sign to me to get some extra rest.
Exercise and Sunshine
Some simple exercise and getting outside can go such a long way in your Self-Care journey. If you don’t have time or money to go to the gym (I know I don’t), try to get some basic exercise in every day. You can add in a walk with your kids after dinner, do some stretching and yoga with them in the living room, or take your lunch break to go for a run. At the minimum, get outside for a few minutes each day. Fresh air and sunshine will do wonders for your mental health.
Time With God
How much time are you spending with God? I know this is something that can easily fall to the back burner, but it honestly should be the first thing on our list. On days that I work, after I drop my daughter off I have about a 15 minute commute. I use that time to listen to worship music and talk to God. I pray over my day, my daughter, my job, and talk out my heart. This is a great way for me to get my heart and mind right for my day. Self-Care at this level is the most important thing that you can do.
Your relationship with God sets the tone for everything in your life. It will impact how you parent your children, how you treat your co-workers, and ultimately, how you view yourself.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Put The Phone Down
Yes, you heard that. Put the phone down. It is so easy as busy and overwhelmed moms to want to “escape” for a few minutes here and there into the world of social media. It is a way for us to feel like we are taking time to ourselves or are “connecting” with society. I am SO guilty of this. Now, there is nothing wrong with using your phone here and there, but make sure you are limiting yourself with the time you spend on it. When you get home from work, place the phone on the kitchen counter, and spend time with your kids. Get on the floor and play with them. Pick up a book and spend 15 minutes reading. Sit on your back deck and take in the sunset. Take your dog on a walk. You have so many other options than playing on your phone.
Self-care can come in so many little ways. I hope that as a single mom you are able to find a few things you can do every single day to help manage your stress. You are the most important person to your children and you are WORTH every single choice that you make. Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary to you as a mother, woman, and daughter of God.
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you’d like to learn more about how to manage your finances as a single mom, click here. And, if you’d like to learn more about managing your household as a single mom, click here. I have really enjoyed bringing you this series! How do you practice self-care?