Hello, Sunshine! Life as a mom doesn’t often leave you much time for yourself. What with looking after your kids, going to work and/or running your home, you probably barely have any time to spend alone with your partner. The idea of having any me time is often low on most moms’ list of priorities.
That’s when you need some quick on the spot ways to destress and relax at the ready, for whenever one of those oases of free time comes along. Imagine the scene: the kids are absorbed in a TV program or playing upstairs, your partner’s out at the gym and, momentarily, you have nothing you actually need to do. Don’t be tempted to always fill those ten minutes with errands and housework like putting a wash on or cleaning the stove; a break from the routine will allow you to refresh and then get on with the rest of your day.
“Playing” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by dickdotcom CAPTION: The kids are occupied – you can have a break!
Think ten minutes isn’t long enough to unwind? Trying one of these ideas may change your mind.
Play On Your Phone
Of course, we all have our favourite gaming apps, but don’t you get tired of playing the same things? Take a break from your usual choices and try playing some free bingo games at one the many different mobile gaming sites. What’s great about playing bingo on a smartphone is that you don’t need to concentrate, you never have to wait for more than a minute or two before a new game starts, and, of course, you can play anywhere. Games only last a few minutes, but are totally immersive entertainment and will allow you to unwind while you play. Another bonus to playing at sites such as mFortune is that they all have chat rooms, where you can talk to other players, so there’s actually a social element to the games too. Moreover, if you and your friends choose the same apps and providers, you’ll have a chance to meet each other online – an instant way to hang out and do something together!
Credit: Pixabay
Take a Breather
Learning the technique of breathing for relaxation is a sure-fire way to find you that sense of calm whenever you need it. There are so many different ways to do this, but one method that’s really easy to remember is the 4-7-8 technique. Find a space to lie down and close your eyes. Breathe in for a count of four, hold the breath for a further count of seven and then exhale for a count of eight, making a whoosh sound as you do. You repeat the process four times and its aim is to slow your heart rate and help calm your mind. It takes a while to learn how to do this properly, but it can be really beneficial as a pick me up once in a while or an addition to your daily routine.
Get Outside
“Central Park” (CC BY 2.0) by Ryan Dickey
Sometimes, if you don’t have anywhere particular to go, you can end up spending the whole day indoors – and by the end of the day, you suddenly feel like a caged lion. If you think you’re too busy to go out, hold that thought and just take yourself into the back yard for ten minutes, or go off for a quick stroll around the block. Don’t be tempted to get your cell out while you walk; just take the time to look around you, see what you observe while you’re walking. This is sometimes referred to as mindful walking – when you really focus on the action of walking and your surroundings rather than talking to someone, or running through your to-do list in your mind.
These are just a few of the ways you can take a short time-out on your usual routine. Of course, there are many more. Whatever you do to unwind, factor in a couple of these kinds of breaks to each day and you’ll find that your stress levels lower and you actually end up becoming more productive.
