KEEPING SELF CARE SIMPLE, bY EMMA BENYON
Self care - such an immense buzz word, that you may even roll your eyes at when you hear it. The word that tells you, you ‘should’ be taking care of yourself, that you need to be the best version of yourselves for your kids and those around you, and that can add a lot of pressure to your already busy life.
As a Motherhood Coach and Self Care expert, I find that many of these perceptions of self care make it incredibly difficult for busy mums to engage with the actual practice of self care.
Self care has become a huge buzzword and has so much negativity attached to it, that in order for you to get any benefit from practicing it, you have got to wade through a whole load of stuff before you even get to the point of being able to care for yourself.
That being said, it’s no secret as to why it’s important, and how when your energy fuel tank is full you are able to function as a better and more authentic version of yourself. I’m also sure it’s no secret that most people would like to feel calm and grounded, rather than exhausted and depleted all of the time.
There is often one barrier, and that’s time.
So how, as a busy mum, do you find that time in your never ending to-do list and the mental load of being a mum?
My definition of self care, is it is an act of health care, it’s about raising our energy, setting boundaries and bringing in nourishing habits to bring joy, calmness and support. These skills and tools are things that can also be used to support your children and families with too.
Self care doesn’t have to be anything that costs money or that requires a certain block of time, which are other common misconceptions with self care practices. Self care can be added to what you are already doing each day and it can be simple, easy and fun and fit in to your daily life as it already is.
So, why not try putting on your favourite playlist as you do the washing, or put your headphones on and listen to a podcast as you sit with the kids whilst they are in the bath? Why not take some breaths before you get out of the car on the school run, or get out for a short 10-minute walk on your lunch break?
Keeping self care simple in these ways, not only means it’s easier for you to add them in practically and easily around what you are already doing, but it also makes self care so much more accessible.
And when you do get a longer block of time you can (if you choose to) do something different, that requires more time, that will also fill your energy fuel tank.
You can also bring others in to your self care practices too, whether that be your children, partners, family or friends. Self care does not have to be something that you do alone. For example, doing a gorgeous skincare routine or moving your body in the bathroom with some simple exercises whilst the kids have a bath.
Self care is unique to each and everyone, because your lives and your season of motherhood is so different. So when you are choosing which self care practices to bring in remember to do what works for you right now, and try and ease in to this season of motherhood and what is achievable right now.
So keep it simple
Keep it easy and keep it fun!
And most of all enjoy nourishing yourself in a way that works for you, with curiosity and ease.
Emma is a motherhood coach and educator, and self care expert, supporting busy mums who are juggling the school run with a job and building a business with the tools to be less overwhelmed and have more balance, energy and clarity.
“I am mum to a six year old and a qualified NLP, mBIT and Practical Magic Coach and full time post 16 educator. I am the editor of Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums and host of the Self Care and Motherhood Edit podcast. My passion is to support busy mums to have more time and energy for the all the things they enjoy and to have the tools to support and nurture themselves”.
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