Real Life Self Care

Self care is just as important if not more important when you become a mum. Happy mum, happy baby. Taking time for ourselves is vital to helping our children grow. So in an effort to share and spread the love we asked a real life mum some self care questions. Huge thank you to Michelle from Kent, United Kingdom for answering the first self care questionnaire for us. This is real life self care from a real mum.

1: Michelle, How often do you find time for self care?

A: To be honest not often enough, I am a mummy to a 3 year old little girl and work full time. Our day starts by getting myself ready first then getting my little one ready. I take a quick look in the mirror before I leave and we are out the door! The most important thing to me is my hair looking ok!

2: What is your favourite self care routine?

A: Making sure my hair is ok! and being out in the fresh air! - I love being out in the countryside especially! I find it clears my head ready for the rest of the day.

3: How has your self care evolved since becoming a mum?

A: I have become more sociable and have begun taking more time over my skin care.

4: What are your favourite products?

A: I always cleanse tone and moisturise my face, I have oily skin so sometimes find it hard to find products that suit my skin.

5: What’s your best advice for a new mum trying to manage self care and a new born?

A: Just take 5-10 minutes whenever you can. Whether it’s to make a cup of tea and drink it hot (when baby is sleeping) or listening to calming music just so you can feel slightly relaxed. You need that ‘me’ time each day to stay human and be yourself.

6: If you only had 5 minutes how would you use that time to look after yourself?

A: Hot drink and calming music to recharge.

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This is real life mum self care. We have to snatch time when we can and enjoy the little things that bring us joy.

Not sure what to do? Here is something that you can try whenever you have a few spare minutes.

Wellness practice to try now

Sometimes you just need to take five minutes and breathe. Breathing is a great self care practice. Plus it’s simple and free. We all know how that feels. The emotions, the overwhelm some days, it can all be a bit much. So here’s my suggestion...

This breathing technique is great immediately after a stressful or difficult situation to calm you down and avoid dwelling on things for longer than necessary.

1. Sit comfortably with your eyes opened or closed.

2. Physically relax your body from head to toe.

3. Once you are comfortable and relaxed find your breath. Concentrate on this for a few seconds.

4. When you are ready, I want you to count to six as you inhale.

5. Then hold your breath for four seconds.

6. Exhale to the count of six.

7. Repeat this for between five and eight times or until you feel sufficiently calmer.

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What did you think? This is a great tool to have in your repertoire for whenever and wherever you are. Breathing techniques are also great for children when they get frustrated.

Have a great day. Love Charlotte and Laura x

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Charlotte and Laura are both Mums from Kent, United Kingdom. Sharing motherhoods reality with the world in the hopes of helping other mums out there.