As Kristen Bell once said, once you have a baby, you get this sudden urge to be in mom mode all the time and neglect every other part of your life, but that you need to yank yourself from those thoughts because you’re still someone’s partner, and that partner needs your attention.
You also can’t let it slip your mind that you’re still a woman, aside from being a busy mom, and therefore it is mandatory that you steal the time to nourish yourself, because it’s the only way you’ll be not only a better and happier woman, but a better partner and an even more excellent mom, because a happy and pampered mom is a happy one.
There is no selfishness in self-indulgence and bodily and spiritual pampering – this is survival and in order to keep yourself centered, content, you need to take precious moments from your busy days and use them just for yourself. They don’t take as much time as it may seem, and once you get the hang of things these rituals will become as regular as any other daily chore or arrangement.
Calm and centered
Let’s call a spade a spade. Motherhood is amazing, but it’s also exhausting as it’s a job that never ends. It’s also full of stress and worries – is the baby eating enough, did it burp, is she/he experiencing stomach cramps, is she/he teething, why isn’t the baby sleeping, not to mention the bathing, the changing, the feeding and all the activities you repeat several times a day seven days a week. In order to de-stress and decompress, use your mom powers (we know you have them) and get up thirty minutes earlier than you normally do.
Use this time to have a cup of coffee in peace, just look out the window and start feeling the serenity wash over you. Empty your mind completely. Then, use the time that you have left to take up meditation. It may seem difficult at first, reaching a true meditative state takes time, but you must stick with it as it will come with enormous health, mental and spiritual benefits. This is the time to focus on your breathing, let your mind become blank and unburdened, and soon, you’ll realize the benefits – you’ll feel less fatigued, more concentrated, immensely less stressed and full of energy. If you don’t know how to begin, there are tons of apps that will introduce you to the world of meditation, so please, for your well-being and peace of mind, give it a try.
Quality me time
If you’re a new mom, you probably haven’t hit the gym in a very long time and there is a good chance you’re not feeling a) like your best self and b) full of energy – especially since all the new obligations suck all the energy out of you. Whether it is your partner, your sister, mother or a hired baby sitter – hand the baby over to someone you trust for just two hours and sign up for a yoga class.
There are virtually tons of physical activities, but yoga and meditation are sisters – they go hand in hand and this way not only will you be completing the circle, but killing two birds with one stone. Yoga isn’t only there to help you get in shape, gain more strength, stamina and flexibility. There is a spiritual side to yoga that will rejuvenate and replenish your spirit and you’ll come home feeling more joyful, energized and serene than ever. Bonus incentive: there are certain yoga asanas that do wonders for your complexion and you definitely need to feel the glow again.
Speaking of the glow
You might be one of the few lucky moms who haven’t had any pre- or post-natal skin and hair issues. Whether you have experienced them or not, taking care of the home, the baby and everything there is to take care of takes a toll on your looks, and if you want to feel like a woman again, you need to lock yourself in the bathroom every morning and commit to a great and effective skincare and haircare routine.
Start with a great facial wash and toner, and once your skin is squeaky clean, treat yourself to a great hyaluronic acid serum that will bring extra plumpness, moisture and foster collagen production so you can get that gorgeous radiant complexion back and feel like your gorgeous self again. Lock things down with a great moisturizer – preferably one with a high SPF – protection is important and you’ll be ready to go about your day knowing that you did something non-time consuming but so pleasurable and nurturing for yourself.
As for your hair care, treat yourself with a rich hair mask for hydration. A great option is organic hair care that is gentle on your scalp. Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo that cleans your roots deeply and a rejuvenating hair mask, and relax. Feel beautiful and proud of a great accomplishment – a beautiful new life. Pamper yourself. You deserve it!
A cliché that works
As a new mom, you may not still be in a place where you fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes, and you are surely not going anywhere near those wide maternity clothes. You will go back to your old self again, especially if you stay consistent with yoga (and let’s face it, all those chores and baby obligations are real calorie burners). However, it’s vital that you feel confident and comfortable in the body you have now, because only if you love yourself in every stage and every shape, you will achieve happiness and ultimately get your body to a place you want it to be. Buying new clothes may sound trivial, but you will be amazed how much better you will feel when you look in the mirror and see yourself in something that fits like a glove and makes you feel sexy and classy.
A great pair of dark wash jeans, oversized quality tees, a few cool blazers and a pair of culottes will do the job, and so will some great mid-heel ankle boots, a leather jacket and a cool high-rise pleated skirt that hides the flaws and emphasizes all the good curves. Great undergarments help as well, and a little refresher of your makeup case won’t hurt either. You do so much for your family, so go get this for yourself without an ounce of guilt because you created a human being, you don’t deserve new clothes, makeup and skincare – you deserve a pedestal.
Bonus: when you can sneak out, book an appointment for a relaxing massage as this will, along with meditation put you in a state of bliss and make all your stress and troubles seem irrelevant, if only for a day.
About the Author
Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Secret Garden, Viva Glam Magazine, Samata Home, How to Simplify, Carousel, Cause Artist and Savant Magazine. You can find out more about her writing by following her on: Facebook Twitter Google +
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