As a yoga teacher, mum, self-employed business woman, wife, pet lover…the list goes on… I understand the challenges that come with balancing it all. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed when trying to juggle so many responsibilities, but it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is essential to being the best mother and worker you can be.
Today I am going to share 6 tips that will help you figure out some balance if you too feel like this. These may take some time to implement so maybe just do 1 at a time to start with. With everything practice makes progress. So don’t give up. You got this and I am here to help.
Here are some tips to help busy mums find balance and manage stress:
Self-Care
It’s common to put our own needs last when we have a lot of responsibilities, but taking care of ourselves is crucial. Prioritizing self-care can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to meditate, practice yoga, or journal. When we take care of ourselves, we have more energy and patience to handle the challenges of motherhood and work.
In fact, prioritizing self-care is not selfish at all; it’s the opposite. You cannot take care of others when you’re struggling yourself. By dedicating just 5-30 minutes a day to your own needs, whether that’s through journaling, meditating, or another practice, you’ll be better equipped to care for your loved ones and tackle your work with renewed energy and focus.
For example, you could try going to bed just five minutes later each night to write in your journal. This simple act of understanding yourself can be incredibly beneficial for your mental health and well-being, leading to more restful sleep and improved overall health. In other words, prioritizing self-care is a win-win for everyone involved.
Routine
Establishing a routine can provide structure and order to your day, reducing stress and overwhelm. Consider creating a regular schedule for waking up, eating meals, and going to bed. This can help you prioritize your time and ensure that you’re taking care of everything that needs to be done.
While it may take some time to establish a routine that works for you, think of it as a trial-and-error process. Our bodies are naturally designed to operate on a routine, so when we don’t have one, it can affect our mental and physical health, leading to stress and other negative outcomes.
Having a routine can be especially beneficial for your mental health, particularly if it’s a routine that you enjoy and that helps you achieve your goals. By establishing a routine that works for you, you can create a sense of control and order in your life, which can lead to increased productivity, better sleep, and overall well-being.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment and engaged in what you’re doing. By focusing your attention on the task at hand, you can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your ability to concentrate and be productive. Mindfulness can be practiced in various ways, including through meditation, breathing exercises, or simply by being present during everyday activities like washing dishes or taking a walk.
When we practice mindfulness, we are essentially bringing our entire attention into the present moment, letting go of worries about the past or future. This can be incredibly beneficial for reducing stress, as stress often arises from ruminating on past events or worrying about the future. By cultivating a more mindful approach to life, we can learn to let go of these stressors and focus on the present.
When we are less stressed and more mindful, our minds become clearer and more focused, making it easier to navigate the challenges of motherhood, work, and life in general. Mindfulness allows us to approach these challenges with greater ease and clarity, helping us to prioritize our time and energy more effectively. By practicing mindfulness regularly, we can cultivate a greater sense of calm, balance, and well-being in our daily lives.
Boundaries
Establishing boundaries in both your personal and professional life is essential for reducing stress and maintaining a healthy balance. This might involve saying no to additional responsibilities, setting limits on your work hours or social media use, and prioritizing your time more effectively.
In addition to these measures, it’s important to enlist the help of others when needed. For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with household chores, consider making a chore list and enlisting the help of your children or partner to share the workload.
Another way to set boundaries is to distance yourself from people or situations that drain your energy. If you find that certain people on social media or in your personal life are bringing you down, it’s okay to unfollow or limit your interactions with them. Remember that you have the power to choose who you allow into your life and how much time and energy you devote to them.
By setting clear boundaries and focusing on your own needs, you can prioritize your time and reduce stress, allowing you to be more present and engaged in both your personal and professional life.
Connect
Connecting with other mums who are going through similar experiences can provide emotional support and a sense of community. Consider joining a mum’s group or online community (hint hint, my new course will be released soon – mindful moments & movements) where you can share your experiences and get advice from others who understand what you’re going through.
Knowing that you are not alone is a massive help to your mental health. I cannot stress the importance of this. What you are going through, others have been there too or are still there. You are not alone, I promise!
My mindful Moments & Movements course is an 8 week course to help mums who are struggling to balance the demands of motherhood, work, and self-care. Through the practice of yoga and self-care techniques, mothers will learn how to connect with themselves and their child in a mindful and compassionate way. With Live Coaching Calls, Yoga Classes, Meditations and More. (Click here to be put on the waitlist)
Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is a powerful tool for reducing stress and improving our overall well-being. It involves intentionally focusing our attention on the positive aspects of our lives, rather than dwelling on the negative.
When we take the time to reflect on what we’re grateful for, it can help shift our perspective and remind us of the good things that we might otherwise take for granted. This can help us feel happier and more content, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.
One way to practice gratitude is to set aside a few minutes each day to write down things you’re grateful for. This could be as simple as jotting down a few things in a gratitude journal or notebook, or using a gratitude app to keep track of what you’re thankful for.
Another way to practice gratitude is to simply reflect on the good things in your life throughout the day. This could involve taking a few deep breaths and intentionally focusing on a positive experience or feeling, or taking a few moments to appreciate something beautiful in your surroundings.
By incorporating gratitude into your daily routine, you can cultivate a more positive mindset and reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm. So take a few minutes each day to reflect on the good things in your life and see how it can make a difference in your overall well-being.
Remember, finding balance and managing stress is an ongoing process. It’s important to be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate the challenges of motherhood, work, and self-care. By prioritizing self-care, creating routines, practicing mindfulness, setting boundaries, connecting with others, and practicing gratitude, you can find a lot more balance in your life but as i said, you don’t have to do this all at once, take your time. Start with 1 thing for a few days or weeks and then add in another. Change is hard but it can also be what sets you free.
So, What now?
If you’re looking for more support and guidance in your mindfulness practice, I invite you to join a 3-day mindfulness challenge for mums starting on May 2nd. This challenge is designed to help busy mums cultivate a regular mindfulness practice, reduce stress, and find more balance in your life.
During the challenge, you’ll receive daily emails with mindfulness practices, guided meditations, and journal prompts. You’ll also have access to a private Facebook group where you can connect with other mums, share your experiences, and get support from a community of like-minded people.
To sign up for the challenge, simply [click on this link here] and enter your name and email address. It’s completely free and there’s no obligation to continue after the 3 days are over. I hope to see you there!
