London Mums’ tips to lessen the mental load in 2023
- Mums Tips
- Fitness & Health
- Published on Wednesday, 11 January 2023 11:10
- Last Updated on 09 January 2023
- Monica Costa
- 0 Comments
Mums are often guilty of putting everyone before themselves and letting daily chores take over precious me-time. The mental load, to-do list and juggle can create real anxiety and frustration so make a conscious effort to build self-care and me-time into your lifestyle. Look at your overall time and figure out where there is space for you to be the priority, then schedule this in on an ongoing basis.
London Mums know how difficult the last few years have been and understand that self-care is more important than ever to assist with the mental load many are experiencing. Here are our tips to ease into the new year with positive mental attitude.
Be present
We cannot say this enough but turn off your phone or place it in another room. I am totally guilty myself while admitting that I feel a bit addicted to my smartphone which I use to check work emails, read WhatsApp messages in endless number of groups, watch films and series.
It’s a challenge, but to fully appreciate me-time and self-care you need to be in the moment and block out the outside world – those emails can wait and so can those WhatsApp messages – turn airplane mode on and make sure you take a real break from the screen. Zoning in on yourself can make you feel more alive, lessen the mental load and make you appreciate being in the moment.
Heal yourself with journaling
It is now well known that keeping a daily journal has health benefits. Journaling includes writing down our spontaneous thoughts as and when they spring to mind. It’s one of the simplest habits we can develop, but which has lots of positive effects in our lives.
Turn off your phone and write things down to remove them from your mind. Journaling is very helpful to allow ourselves to sleep soundly, too. I have written a blog about how journaling has changed my life.
Beauty Sleep is crucial
Sleep. Winter days, even though the daylight is short, can often feel long. Being tired can be a detriment to yourself and the way in which you care for yourself. Not only is it good for your body’s repair but it also helps your immune system and stress levels.
Over the past 20 odd years, I have constantly tried to rebuild my relationship with sleep after turning into a poor sleeper following the premature death of my father in 2002. Remedies to improve my sleep quality have included acupuncture, luxury mattress, sleeping tablets (both natural and medical), yoga, mediation, various breathing techniques, essential oils, silk sleep mask, ear plugs, Himalayan salt lamp and an air purifying device. It cannot be said that I don’t persevere in my task to go back to the sleep quality I had prior to 2002.
Read my blog on how to become a sleeping beauty.
A healing home
The home is a healing zone and one where comfort and happiness should take precedence. Having a clean home makes the mind relax, unwind and focus on putting yourself first. Getting a cleaner or making one day a week your “cleaning day” can take away anxiety, procrastination and ultimately ease your mind. It is about finding ways to let the daily chores benefit you and not be something you dread as this can truly make your mind and mood spin.
Book Me-time in advance
Mums feel guilty about booking in time for themselves; however, it is as useful to your mental wellbeing as a routine doctor’s appointment. It often helps to book in your desired me-time in advance to avoid letting it fall to the wayside. If you do this then it fits into your schedule, and you won’t cancel because it’s already been paid for.
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Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
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