5 Instant Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms

5 Instant Self-Care Ideas for Busy Moms

Most of the moms I know who are stressed out and in desperate need of self-care are the same moms who insist that they simply don’t have time. 


Between full-time work; distance learning with multiple children; running a household; building a business; supporting a husband; and being a friend, there just seems to be no time left at the end of the day.


I think a lot of the time, we equate self-care with taking a long bubble bath, or spending an hour at the gym.


What if I told you that some self-care activities could be done in just minutes, or even seconds? 

If you find yourself too busy to commit to regular self-care, check out a few of these instant (or almost-instant!) self-care ideas.


1. Stretch


Stand up, put your hands on your back like they’re in your back pockets, and do a back extension. We spend so much time hunched over our computers, leaning forward over the stove, putting laundry away. This simple stretch is SO good for our backs! Then just raise your hands overhead and stretch upwards. 


2. Drink water


The time it takes to get up and fill a glass of water, then drink it, can be used as just a minute to breathe. This also helps you to get a little more hydrated, which can do wonders for your mindset and health. 


3. Check out the daily story on the Bible app


This is a new feature that has only just recently rolled out. It’s the verse of the day, a 1-3 minute video thought from a pastor or Bible teacher, a quick devotional to read, and then a 1-2 sentence prayer. It’s new every day, it’s not a plan that requires you to stay caught up, it takes only minutes, and it’s always refreshing. If you miss a day, it’s no big deal. You’re not behind, you just check out the story the next day.


4. Use a Stress Away roller


Stress Away is one of my favorite Young Living essential oil blends. I keep a roller in my purse to use any time I need it, and I diffuse it a LOT now being home all the time. If you’ve never used it before, I would be more than happy to send you a sample! Just one quick inhale of this blend and you feel like you’re transported to a tropical island. 


5. Pet your dog or cat


Did you know studies show people with pets live longer? Why is that? Because spending a minute petting our furry family can slow our heart rate and release dopamine and seratonin, which regulates your mood and reduces stress. Just make someone else clean up the poop. 


Here are a few other bonus ideas for you:
  • Send a short Facebook message or text to check in on a friend
  • Mail a hand-written letter or quick postcard
  • Go for a quick, 5-10 minute walk

I also know that the idea of making sure you complete some kind of self-care can feel daunting and stressful in itself, because it’s just one more thing you “should” be doing. If none of these activities resonates with you, find something that DOES.


True self-care is taking care of yourSELF, not anyone else, so you need to find things that make you feel good. If you miss a day, don’t stress. 


Just know that YOU are important. You can’t serve anyone if you’re stressed to the point of sickness. It’s imperative that you stay healthy, and one major component to this is finding whatever self-care works for you.


So tell me, if you had all the time and money in the world, what act of self-care would you choose?


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12 Foods To Eat Your Way To More Peace During Stressful Times

12 Foods To Eat Your Way To More Peace During Stressful Times
Right now, with most of society in a panic over the coronavirus (or as I've decided to call it, the Beer Flu), and almost everyone quarantined to home, our focus is on what to do with our time...and what to eat.
 
Too many of us are stressed out and all we can think to do is worry, get annoyed at the people who are worrying, or eat.
 
Let's talk about some foods that can help our bodies to release stress and maintain some peace.
 
1. Nuts
Selenium has been shown to help decrease anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Nuts are known for having high levels of this mineral. You only need a handful of mixed nuts or even just two Brazil nuts to increase your selenium levels. Nuts are also high in magnesium, which helps to relax the brain in high quantities. Peanuts and pumpkin seeds are great sources, but opt for unsalted. Nuts are a great way to fight stress!
 
2. Greens
Magnesium relaxes the brain, and also helps our nerves and muscles relax. Foods high in magnesium (in addition to nuts and seeds) are spinach, basil, and believe it or not, peppermint.
 
3. Dark Chocolate (my personal favorite)
Most people think of turkey when they hear tryptophan, but did you know that dark chocolate is rich in tryptophan too? The body uses tryptophan to create serotonin, which relaxes the brain. Be sure to choose dark chocolate that contains 70% or higher cacao.
 
4. Milk
Milk also contains tryptophan, and having a glass of warm milk specifically can be especially soothing.
 
5. Oats/Oatmeal
Now that we know all about tryptophan, it's good to note that complex carbs enhance the absorption of tryptophan. Oats and oatmeal are a great source, especially when you opt for oatmeal that doesn't contain a ton of sugar.
 
6. Kiwi
So we know about tryptophan, we know that it creates serotonin, and that it needs to be absorbed. Vitamin C helps to convert tryptophan into serotonin. Some great sources of Vitamin C are kiwi and oranges! Studies say that a diet rich in Vitamin C may help calm you and put you in a better frame of mind.
 
7. Shrimp and Salmon
We all know that fish is typically rich in omega-3 fatty acids, but did you know those can reduce anxiety and depression? Your best sources are shrimp and salmon.
 
8. Broccoli and Bananas
When you don't have enough potassium, you can feel tired, fatigued, irritable, and anxious. Both broccoli and bananas are known for their generous helpings of potassium in each serving.
 
9. Green Tea
L-theanine is an amino acid that has been shown to reduce stress, assist with relaxation, and enhance moods. A great way to serve up these amino acids to your body is by drinking green tea.
 
10. Yogurt and Kimchi
Foods with probiotics help to keep your gut healthy. A healthy gut can create a healthy environment for your mind and emotions. There is growing research that shows a connection between healthy bacteria in your gut and a healthy mental state.
 
11. Honey
Honey not only contains tryptophan, but it also contains potassium. It helps to fight off stress hormones and relaxes the nervous system.
 
12. Chickpeas
Another vitamin that helps lower stress hormones is folate, because it helps your body produce serotonin and dopamine to assist in mood regulation. It's also been shown to help lower the risk of depression. So throw those chickpeas on your salad, make some hummus, or toast some up for a crunchy snack!
 
To make your life just a little bit easier, I created a shopping list of the shelf stable foods so that you can easily find those products:
 
Which of these are you going to snack on first? 

I'm pretty sure it's obvious what mine will be...

 
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