It’s important to take care of yourself as a mum!  You tend to find your needs are last in a very long list when you have kids.  As much as life as a parent is rewarding it is also exhausting.  But you need to make time for your own self-care.  Especially when you have little ones that are in your care all day.  If you are a cheerful contented mum, then your children will feel happier for it.

Do something small every day to make YOU happy

Make that cup of tea and try and drink it hot.  Get out in the fresh air and feel the sun on your face.  It doesn’t have to be something big just take out a couple of minutes to do something that focuses on your own needs for a change.

Plan for a bigger treat

If you have someone who can look after the children for you, plan a special treat.  Look at these spa weekend ideas if you need inspiration for a getaway without the kids!  Being pampered will soon help you feel relaxed and all those tensions will disappear.

If you don’t feel ready to leave them overnight why not try afternoon tea somewhere instead.  It’s just nice being able to enjoy a meal in peace and not having to coax someone else to eat up!

Earlier nights

You might find yourself dragging out your own bedtime to claw back some me time.  However, this can just make the next day harder.  We tend to put a lot of effort into our children’s bedtime, so they go off to the land of nod calmly.  Why not do the same for ourselves, a nice bath and a good story instead of mindlessly scrolling through facebook for hours…

Exercise

The last thing you might feel like doing when your tired is exercising but you really should!  It releases happy chemicals into your body, so you feel much better.  Try and get outdoors every day for a walk.  The fresh air will be great for you and the kids will sleep better for it.

Think about what you eat

When you have had a tough day its tempting to seek the comforting properties of chocolate but try and have healthier options that will give you a longer energy boost!  Certain foods are meant to lift your spirits so stock up with walnuts, cashews, kale and oysters.

If you do need a chocolate fix have a little bit of dark chocolate, a square or two not a bar or two!!!