Mind, Body, Balance - Holistic Tips for Busy Mothers
Being a mum is quite possibly the most demanding job in the world, especially if you are balancing a career, and doing it alone. It’s often a role with high-reward, but little to no praise.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed with how much there is to do and how little time there is to do it, and that burnout may await you at every corner. This article is here to tell you that achieving balance is not only possible but essential.
Biobalance believes that we are our best selves when in harmony with our mind, body and spirit. Our easy holistic tips will help you restore balance, so you can take on tomorrow's challenges smiling.
Begin your day with a little stretch
A morning stretch routine invigorates your body, increases flexibility, and sets a positive tone for the day. It helps release tension accumulated overnight and improves circulation.
Simply dedicating 10 - 20 minutes each morning to a mild stretching sequence can make a world of difference. Practising yoga sun salutations and breathingexercises can be particularly beneficial as it lets you combine breath work with movement to energise both mind and body.
Focus on movements that target major muscle groups to get the most benefits. You can find free tutorials on YouTube to get you started.
Make time for mindfulness
While stretching aligns the body, meditation aligns the mind. Meditation is the practice of being in the present without thought. It combines breathing exercises with mindfulness to enhance your sense of harmony.
While it is good to be mindful in everything you do, meditation is a dedication to nothing but mindfulness and provides more pronounced effects than mindfulness combined with other tasks. Allotting 10-15 minutes each day can boost your mental game and emotional wellbeing.
Meditation, Yoga and Breating exercises first thing in the morning sets you up nicely for the rest of the day. Choosing a quiet space is very important, but you can also do it on the train while going to work. You can download apps that provide guided meditations to help your meditation journey. Meditating just before bed is also great, and longer sessions of around 20-40 minutes are even more effective.
Ramp up daily tasks with movement
We recommend going to the gym when possible. A little exercise goes a long way, but being a busy mum, we know that isn’t always possible. Instead, incorporate exaggerated movement into your daily routine. It may sound silly, but you can boost your physical activity levels without additional time. This can improve overall fitness, increase energy levels, and enhance mood by releasing endorphins.
It can be as simple as opting for the stairs over the elevator, doing squats while holding your baby, which is fun for them and you, or even while waiting for the kettle to boil. Those spare moments are a good opportunity to get your blood flowing and muscles working.
Small changes like picking up the pace on your daily walk, parking further away from your destination to get a few more steps in, doing laundry at a vigorous pace, and stretching while watching TV, make a significant difference over time.
Wearing a fitness tracker to monitor your activity level can keep you motivated and help you establish and track your activity goals.
Incorporating movement into your daily tasks can burn 200-300 extra calories daily.
Practice gratitude journaling
Gratitude journaling encourages you to think about and focus on the things that add value to your life rather than the challenges you face. Over time it creates a powerful shift in your attitude as your mind will naturally seek out the positives, enhancing your outlook to a more optimistic one.
Try writing down at least three positive things about your day or things you are grateful for. You can do this activity alone or out loud with a partner or friend before bed. After 30 days, you will notice a difference in your perspective, leaving you feeling more content and positive.
Embrace the power of "No"
“No” might be the most powerful word you will learn to use. It is also among the hardest. But, learning when to say ‘no’ can be truly empowering. It lets you retake control of your time and often your mental and emotional well-being.
Sometimes, we agree to things we don’t want to do because we feel bad about rejecting someone’s request. Or, worse, we feel obliged. Over time, these feelings wear us down and steal our time from the things and people we truly value.
You don’t have to be rude or aggressive. You can say “no” while smiling and use phrases like “I would love to help you, but I just don’t have the capacity for this right now”. It might feel awkward at first, but you will soon love how it makes you feel.
You can also tell people you will consider their request and let them down gently via email or text, so you can think about what you want to say. Remember though, you don’t need to explain, although it sometimes helps.
Learning to say “no”, could be the best thing you learn this year.
Final Thoughts
These simple holistic tips will help you take charge of your life and restore balance. By implementing them, you will feel refreshed. Being a busy mum isn’t easy, but it is much easier when you adopt positive habits that prioritise yourself.
It is easy to forget your needs when constantly caring for others, but you matter too, and Biobalance recognises your need for self-love.
We hope this article inspires you onto the path of harmony, the Biobalance way. Stay tuned for more life-building tips.
