Mollys Guide - Spring 2018

self-care for mums who are
way too busy for self-care...
As a mum of four, with a career and
two demanding cats, it is hard not to
poke someone’s eye out with a frozen
turkey dinosaur when I hear about the
importance of self-care.
So I thought ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’.
I do hope it won’t make you want to hit me with
a bar of chocolate as you run your candle-lit
bubble bath.
Clichés aside, it turns out self-care is not only a
luxury for the bored, childless or unemployed;
we actually need to look after ourselves in order
to function. Who knew?! And this becomes
more necessary when we are in charge of tiny
humans.
Another mum once told me that her health visitor
said mums should take care of their own needs
first, so they are in a fit state to give to their
children. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
And some line about if you were in an air crash,
you’d put your own oxygen mask on first.
Well, as my goal for 2018 is to wear matching
socks at least most of the time, put make up on
every day and read beyond page 19 of the book
I started this time last year, I could definitely do
with some self-care.
Here are five ways to introduce self-care to
your exhausting busy life.
Follow positive social media
From funny Tweets to nuggets of Facebook
wisdom and inspiring Instagram, virtual
happiness is easier to grab since the internet
became a thing. While real life trumps digital,
if you find yourself having a rubbish day,
support, laughs, guidance, tips and advice can
be just a few clicks away. If you follow feel-good
Twitter and Facebook accounts, they will appear
in your social media and pop up in your feeds
with joyful bite-size affirmations. What a time to
be alive, eh?
Buy yourself something you don’t need
I love Yankee candles. I don’t especially think
that they make the room smell of Yankee candle
when you use them but I still like the aroma from
up close as I light them. It can be anything
really that will cheer you up. Mine would be a
Thornton’s marzipan bar, a real life magazine
or special coffee or tea. The scale of the treat
is dependent to an extent on budget but there
are ways you can enjoy a gift to yourself for
under a pound.
Find five minutes of peace as often as you can
Spa days, mini breaks and long lie-ins are better
but realistically these are often out of reach.
Good quality space for yourself in short bursts
is still better than none. Whether it is sinking into
the bath with a Lush bubble bar, blasting out
your favourite song in the car or emailing an old
friend as you sit on the loo, try to find five
minutes as often as you can to do ‘you’ things.
Spend time cheering someone else up
Giving to others is widely acknowledged to be
good for our own souls. Being generous with
what we have is uplifting. You could volunteer
to help homeless people or older adults,
spend time with elderly relatives, surprise a
downhearted friend with a plant or take cakes
for colleagues. Or do random acts of kindness.
There’s a Facebook page I am on for mums
where members leave bars of chocolate with
affirming Post-Its on them, in places like baby
changing rooms and libraries, to remind strangers
they’re doing a great job of being a mum.
Slum it every so often
It can seem like we are almost expected to feel
guilty for lounging around in our pyjamas. Duvet
days are no bad thing. Once we have children,
we are supposed to go out and take them to
museums, swimming and other wholesome
life-enhancing activities that are cultured,
educational and sporty. It is okay to relax too.
There is nothing better than staying in your
pyjamas all day and letting the kids do the same,
watching films and eating popcorn and generally
unwinding, as you ‘do nothing’.
Caroline Thain is a journalist, blogger and slightly frazzled mum of four,
who lives in a semi-rural village in Lincolnshire.
HEALTH & SPORT
Caroline Thain
www.mollysguide.co.uk
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