Hey Mums – you’re allowed to relax at the end of the day

Here are the top ways Mums escape for some chill time

So many Mums don’t feel like they’re allowed to ever stop, sit down and do – well nothing.

It’s like we’re wired to always be ‘on’ and if we stop, all those little Mum guilt feelings come creeping up. I should be doing the dishes; I should be doing the washing, I should be making lunches for tomorrow, I should be answering my emails…

This is your official permission to reward yourself with some mum relaxation time at the end of the day!

Get used to saying to yourself, ‘I’ve survived another day of being everything to everyone, so it’s my time to relax’. And follow through with it.

And yes, it’s not easy while the kids are still up, but get them into bed and then make sure you’ve labelled the next hour, ‘me time’. If your kids are the type who keep getting up and your partner is home, tell them they’re on-call to deal with it for a little while.

If you’re new to the whole relaxation thing, here are some things you can do at the end of the day to wind down and relax.

6 ways for busy Mums to relax at the end of a long day

1. Move all the rubber duckies and bath toys, run a nice hot bath with some bubbles (not from the kids princess bottle – get some yummy aromatherapy adult ones), light some candles and turn off the light (so you don’t look whether you’ve scrubbed the grout lately), and slip in. Stretch out as much as possible (even if your feet end up the wall at the other end or your knees awkwardly stick out of the bubbles), shut your eyes and chill for a while. When you become a wrinkled prune, it’s time to hop out.
2. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea (yes, pun intended), but drinking herbal tea before bedtime can be really relaxing. Pour yourself a cup and find a quiet place to sit still without noise for a few minutes. You may set up a cosy chair in a study or the corner of your bedroom – somewhere away from TVs and kids! Try to clear your head while you sip on and enjoy your tea (and be careful not to burn your mouth or all that relaxation disappears!).
3. Have a go at meditation. There are quite a few apps available (many of them are free) that you can download to your phone which will guide you through the meditation process. Grab some headphones, so you don’t hear any other noises, find a nice peaceful spot (outside at night is amazing to soak up the moonlight) and start. Shut your eyes, allow your mind to go blank and listen to the words of the meditation. You can even do this in bed as you may find you’re so relaxed, you fall asleep!
4. Grab control of the remote (or jump in bed to watch if you have a TV in your room) and watch your latest Netflix binge series, your favourite drama shows, or a movie of your choice. Make a mental note that you’re not allowed to move until you’ve at least watched one full episode – no jumping up to see the kids, to do chores or to answer emails. Stay still and watch (and yes, you may message your friends to laugh if they’re watching the same reality show…)!
5. Exercise is scientifically proven to reduce stress. You don’t need expensive gym memberships either. Take a walk (your dog can join you for company – they don’t talk back or nag) in the fresh air and enjoy your time out of the house. If it’s too late to go out alone, do a workout at home. There are heaps of videos you can watch on YouTube and follow along.
6. Get into reading. You’ve probably already read your kids books for the day, so it’s time to grab an adult book (and no, I don’t mean Fifty Shades of Grey – unless you want to…), snuggle up in a comfy chair and read. There are business books, inspirational books, self-help books, and many non-fiction and fiction books. What you read is up to you, but make sure it’s a real book as reducing screen time is part of the relaxation.

Families function better when Mums are relaxed

It’s no secret that Mums are the heart of the family. So, when you’re relaxed, so is the rest of your family.

Think about it. If you’ve stayed up late to get all those extra chores done, you’re pooped the next morning. You’ll be snappier than usual, and you’ll find your kids are probably reflecting your mood and not doing what they’re told. The morning routine is harder, and you drop your kids at school looking like that frazzled Mum.

So, imagine if you’ve wound down at the end of the day, relaxed and climbed into bed at a reasonable hour. You’ll sleep well and wake up refreshed and ready for the day. You’ll be happy, and your kids will be happy (well, as happy as kids can be on a school morning!). And all those frazzled looking Mums will wonder what your secret is!

Relaxing is easier when you’re organised

There are so many things you need to get done during the day, so the best thing to do is to make a list of tasks and then prioritise your time. You never NEED to have everything done in one day. Spread your list over the week and make sure you start scheduling in your relaxation time.

And if you’re looking for a wall planner to help you plan your week (and add in your relaxation time), check out the Daily Orders range here.