Self-Care Guide: Mum Edition

Whether you’re a new mum or have been a mum for some time now, it seems so easy to always put your children, family, home and work above all before your very own needs. You’re either always on the go or maybe always staying at home. Either way, it’s so important to keep yourself physically healthy and mentally strong so you can keep up with the race and avoid being burnt out.

What is self-care?

Self-care is defined as the act of maintaining or improving one’s health and wellbeing by being mindful and permitting yourself to prioritise your physical, mental and emotional health when needed[1].

You might ask, “where can I possibly find time for myself if my children are needing my attention and energy the majority of the day?” While that can be true but try to arrange it within your means. Plan a schedule of at least 30 minutes of your day or anytime in a week to do what you like or something you would like to try for a while now. By doing so, you can reap the benefits of feeling re-energised, refresh as well as relieved stress. 

How to self-care?

We have put together a list for mums on how to start practicing self-care:

1. Get sufficient sleep
Sleep experts recommend getting between 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night to support our body’s optimum functioning daily. Lack of sleep can affect your overall health—both physically and mentally. For example, insufficient sleep can result in under-performance of skin cells, causing poor blood circulation and increasing your stress hormones.

If your little one is a night owl, don’t shoulder all the responsibilities on your own. Communicate with your partner or a support person to take turns so you can also get some uninterrupted rest. It can be hard to seek help, but a good night’s sleep is one of the best forms of self-care you can practice.

2. Pamper yourself

After becoming a mum, you might have to give up on many things including pampering yourself with a good massage or spa session. Nonetheless, never lose your identity as a woman and glam up yourself once in a while. Alternatively, there are ways to pamper yourself while staying at home. Squeeze in a short 30 minutes to do a home pedicure or apply a sheet mask at least twice a week to treat your skin. By doing so can help you to relax and de-stress after a long day.

Due to our constant exposure to UV rays from the sun, blue light from digital screens, and busy lifestyle, our skin will start losing around 1% of collagen a year[2] after the age of 25. In order to slow down the effects of premature aging, we can opt for collagen drinks with formulas containing RDS® (Rapid Delivery System) collagen and selective essential vitamins and Coenzyme Q10 for better effects.

3. Get active

Exercise might be the last thing you want to do after being always on the go, but undeniably it has many benefits for both mind and the body. Exercising supports the body to release endorphins that benefit you into feeling good and focusing better. It also helps to regulate energy and set your circadian rhythms, so you tend to sleep better at night. Moreover, physical activity has been proven to reduce feelings of anxiety.  

Not sure where to start? You can always search for easy and fast routines on YouTube to follow along or go for a jog around the neighbourhood. Otherwise, do some stretches before bed.

4. Explore new hobbies

Discover (or re-discovering!) a hobby that you're passionate about can be a fun way to destress and recharge. Take your time and write down what makes you happy and go ahead with it.

If you enjoy baking, go to the supermarket and buy baking ingredients to bake or if you enjoy gardening, go to a nursery to pick up some new plants. If you have been wanting to sign up for classes to upskill yourself, discuss it with your partner and make time for it.

5. Schedule that appointment

If you are due to have your annual check-up such as a dental appointment, eye exam, dermatologist appointment, or need a haircut, book that appointment and try to commit to it. Don’t forget to reconnect with your friends too by scheduling a meet-up session with them. Sometimes a short meet-up will help you reset as much as some alone time.

6. Feed your body well

If a baby needs nutrients to grow healthily, it’s also as important for a mum to maintain her overall health and immunity strong. You will need all the energy as it’s not easy to constantly keep up with your toddler or children. The best way to ensure a strong and healthy body is by consuming all the nutritious food through balanced home-cooked meals. Although home-cooked food can be time-consuming it can also be an activity to get your mind off parenting for a while. Moreover, your family will also benefit from getting nutritious meals as well.    

Aside from eating healthy foods, consider supplements made from a proprietary blend of Wild Lingzhi and cultivated cordyceps to boost energy and support body immunity to fight against any infections. It is extremely important to keep your immunity up, especially with the ongoing virus.

Conclusion

To all mums, you are doing an amazing job! Don’t ever feel bad if you need some time off for yourself. Self-care is a necessity, not an indulgence or being selfish. If you do not take care of yourself, the feeling of depletion, resentment, and stress may become overwhelming. If you want the best for your family, you must first prioritise yourself by taking good care of your needs. Being a good model to your child will help them to understand the importance of self-care and a balanced lifestyle as they grow up too!