20 Ways for Moms to Recharge in 20 Minutes

With all the current talk about the importance of self-care for parents (mothers in particular), a mom easily could disregard this as just another impossible task that can’t be squeezed into an already full schedule. I know we all want to be good parents; however, if you don’t take the time to care for yourself, you will not have the energy (mental or physical) to parent. Here are 20 things you can do for yourself to revitalize in a short amount of time.

• Pet therapy. Studies have proven that just being around animals reduces your blood pressure. This doesn’t mean you have to play with a dog (although this is my preferred method). Even watching fish in an aquarium or horses in a field has a beneficial effect.
• Water. A bath doesn’t have to take an hour and be surrounded with lit candles in order to refresh you. Fill the tub while you do something else and soak for 10 minutes. Use lavender bath salts for a calming effect or spearmint to refresh.
• Call a friend. Long chats on the phone have declined with the prevalence of texting and social media, but there’s something special about hearing a good friend’s voice in real time. This is an easy one to fit in while you are waiting for children to get out of school or lessons.
• Stretch out. Lie down on the floor and stretch or find stretching exercises you can do in an office chair while at work.    
• Humor yourself. Most 30-minute television shows only last about 22 minutes without the commercials. Have a mini-binge of your favorite comedy or listen to a comedian. Look at funny YouTube videos.
• Drink. No, not that kind of drinking. Dehydration is a common cause of fatigue and headaches. Fill a real glass with ice water (add lemon or cucumber if you are feeling fancy). Sit down and drink a glass or two.
• Paint your toenails. I feel worse after making my toes look pretty. Said no one ever. If you are careful, you still can walk around while they dry.
• A walk. It can be brisk or leisurely. Just being outside in the fresh air can invigorate you. Bring earphones and play your own tunes as loud as you want as you walk laps around the playground while still keeping an eye on the kids.
• Bake. This might sound like a chore and a diet-wrecker, but if you enjoy baking there is something very rewarding about watching the raw ingredients morph into something yummy. With store-bought or pre-made cookie dough, you can have cookies in and out of the oven quickly. Don’t want the calories? Give them away. Being kind is a sure mood-lifter.
• Color. Coloring books for adults are a thing. Really. According to mental health professionals, coloring allows us to slow down our thoughts and focus only on the moment, helping to combat anxiety.
• Dress it up. Looking like a frump can make you feel like a frump. Changing into clean clothes and real shoes (even if you aren’t going out) can make you feel less sluggish.
• Get nostalgic. View old videos or photos of your kids. Don’t feel obligated to scrapbook or edit. Just look. You will be reminded of all the different stages of parenting you have gone through and relish the fact that some of the more challenging ones are in the past! 
• Snack. Our bodies can’t function without fuel, and going for more than four hours without eating can make a mom “hangry.” When was the last time you actually made a snack for yourself?  Eating chips out of the bag doesn’t count. Protein-rich foods can provide an energy boost. Take a few minutes to choose something delicious and healthy for yourself the next time you grocery shop.
• Read. Reading doesn’t always have to be to your children or something edifying. Catch up on celebrity gossip if that’s your thing. If you prefer listening to books, play an audio installment of a beach-read type of novel.
• Disconnect. Facebook can live without you for 20 minutes. Put your phone on the charger and turn off the ringer. Move away from the computer or tablet. Turning off social media can help you find happiness in the moment and reduce feelings of envy or FOMO (fear of missing out).
• Write. We all have heard that writing is cathartic. Writing things down can help get them out of your brain. You don’t have to write daily in an actual diary or journal to get the benefits. Blog, write a newsy e-mail to a faraway friend or make a “done” list (much more fun than a to-do list.).
• Get some vitamin D. Vitamin D (either produced by your body with exposure to sunlight or taken as a supplement) is crucial to supporting your immune system. Fish and eggs are good sources as well. In fact, a shortage of vitamin D can cause fatigue and restless sleep. Moms don’t need that!
• Plant a seed. The history of humanity has been a life connected to nature. Too many of us are well removed from the outdoors in our daily lives. Being near other living things, like plants, is an easy way to reduce stress and reinvigorate. I have the opposite of a green thumb, but even I can keep a succulent or two alive for a few months. Add non-demanding plant life to the areas where you spend time.
• Cancel something. Most families today have a whole lot going on. Just canceling one thing in your future that is not a necessity can boost your mood.
• Plan something fun. It may never happen, but planning an activity (or, just imagine it, an entire “me day”) can be half the fun. Imagine what your ideal “me day” would look like and research the details.

            Don’t you feel recharged already? 

Tip: Looking for a great exercise program? Try Genesis Health Clubs! They have a new location in Olathe. Considered one of the best luxury gyms in Johnson County, with over 100,000 square feet of fitness heaven, this Olathe, KS location has everything. Looking for a swimming pool? How about two indoor pools and a luxurious outdoor pool with a waterfall and poolside food and drink service? Not to mention the hot tub, steam room and sauna.

            Laura Miller McEachen is a part-time attorney and a full-time mommy. She likes to recharge by writing things down to get them out of her brain.