Juggling work, family and everything in between may feel like mission impossible at the best of times. Trying to tackle the mountain of chores at home, your demanding workload and your dwindling social life can really take its toll on you.
As mums, we often forget to think of ourselves because we are too busy running after everyone else, especially the kids. And while being a mum really is an honour, taking a break from mum and work duties for a little while is something we should aim to do. If you can achieve a balance in your life between family, work and play – you’ll notice a big difference.
So ... how do we go about doing that?
Your schedule
Create a new schedule starting from today, noting down everything that needs to be done for each day of the week. Now look over it again and pick out the things you can get help with – is it work, childcare, home help? Take those tasks and share them out, if hiring help isn’t an option – get the kids and the other half involved. If everyone has a set role, you’d be surprised how quickly that becomes a routine that will ultimately lighten your load.
Create a food plan
Mealtimes can be stressful, with the constant pressure to serve up tasty and nutritious dinners that the whole family will love. That’s why you need a food plan. Your next list will be for meals to make during the week. And don’t forget to consider healthy ingredients to ensure the meals you make contain the nutrients and vitamins the body needs. Foods that are high in protein and iron for instance, like chickpeas, fish and eggs, will help maintain your optimum energy levels.
Next, write down a list of all the ingredients you need, and bring it with you on your weekly shop. Pick a night of the week where you can batch-cook and meal prep for the week, then cook it all up and put it into the fridge or freezer. Then, simply consult your plan each night, and prep as required.
Learn how to say ‘no’
Figuring out that you don’t always have to say yes is a wonderfully freeing thing. And accepting that it’s not a negative trait is even better.
If you’re already struggling to find a balance in your own life, you can’t possibly be expected to add the responsibilities of others to your plate. Yes, it’s a wonderful thing to be kind and helpful to others; but if it’s going to make finding the balance more difficult for you, don’t be afraid to say ‘no’.
Me time
It’s like the holy grail, this ‘me time’ thing. But if you don’t create it, you’ll never have it, and you’ll not be the better for it.
And remember it is possible to make it happen. Now that you know your schedule, pick out the time when there will be no interruptions (or the least interruptions) – it might be early in the morning if your family are a little more grown up, or in the evenings if you have little ones in bed early. Whatever the time, pick out the thing that makes you happy – gardening, walking, reading, going out with friends or just soaking in the bath. Take that time and make it yours. And the trick here is that you stick to it. If it’s on the schedule, it has to happen.
Healthy sleep habits
Sleep is an incredibly important part of your day – this is how you’ll maintain your balanced lifestyle.
Try to have a regular bedtime routine in order to help you settle down for the night. You should aim to switch off your electronic devices at least an hour before bed, as the blue light they emit can disrupt your body’s natural clock. Another tip is to ensure that your bed is just for sleeping. That way, your body will associate bed with sleep, and nothing else, and you’re more likely to fall asleep faster. Spend some time in the evening unwinding by reading a book, journaling, practicing some breathing exercises or meditating and avoid all caffeine in the afternoon so that you can achieve a blissful sleep and wake up feeling ready to tackle the day.
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