Hey Mamas and Mamas to be,
This is a note to all of you and I just want to let you know you are amazing ! I love and support each and everyone of you and sometimes just reading a post about self care is an act of self care. I started this Blog to help moms navigate their beauty and skincare routines but a big part of all of that is Self Care and making yourself a priority sometimes. Here are my favourite ways to indulge myself a little.
Being a mom is hard work. It is an amazing, rewarding and awe-inspiring thing… but it can also take its toll on your body and mind. Don’t let yourself get pushed right to the breaking point. You need to take care of yourself. You are no good to your baby, or anyone else, if you are rundown or ragged. Once in a while you need to get out and do something for you. Get out. Get your hair done. Get your nails did. Go to the park. Exercise. Sit and have a glass of wine. Eat chocolate. Do something that will make you feel good.
Self care is a concept that was totally lost on me in my teens, twenties and pre-baby days. In my late twenties I was busy with work pressures and the evolving stress that generally comes with becoming an adult. To be perfectly honest, prior to Eve I just didn’t understand that having a baby would be so wholly consuming. People may have warned me but the information just didn’t hit home until I had my girl. Babies are little energy vampires. They are amazing but they can drain you. There would be weeks on end where I did nothing for myself. Sadly, even the basics like showering and eating a healthy meal were not happening regularly.
I realized the quickest way to being unhappy in life is to neglect yourself. Disregarding your own wants and needs is a surefire way to being unhappy. Take a minute and take care of yourself. Do something you want to do, simply for the joy of it. Self care is something everyone should take seriously because it is good for you on all levels. It will alleviate stress, gives you more perspective and allows you to return to the rest of your life with a smile.
If you want to know how I deal with all the pressures of my life, here are a few of my all-time favourite things that help my self care game:
I get a manicure. Feel pampered and let go while in that salon. Throw caution to the wind and add a pedicure too! You walk out of there feeling refreshed and having beautiful looking nails is a nice change to the usual chipped ragged usual look. My favourite place to indulge in my mani’s is at Bside Beauty located in the east end of Toronto. They serve wine too which in my books is a HUGE bonus.
I walk around the grocery store by myself. There is freedom in shopping alone and doing it at your own pace. Groceries are a must but having to do it with a 3 year old who loves to touch everything and anything can be a bit much. Being solo gives you free arms and freedom in the knowledge Eve is safe at home.
I get a massage. I don’t do this often but getting a massage can be downright amazing. Having someone work out the kinks in your body can be both physically and mentally rewarding. In fact, I think I will book my next appointment soon.
I walk down the road to my favourite coffee shop with a book and leave my phone at home for an hour – that hour can be like a vacation. In fact, giving yourself a screen-free hour will do wonders. Life will go on in the hour you will be tech free. See beauty in the world around you for a little while. I am currently reading this book by Samantha Irby and I can’t stop laughing. It is so hilarious and refreshing it is the perfect read if you need a break.
Click here to buy your copy : We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.: Essays
I buy a really nice bath bomb and face mask and take a hot bath. When Eve is asleep, I take advantage of the time and unwind. Soak your troubles away. Light some candles. Listen to some music. Have a glass of wine. Relax and let everything go. Plus you will look and smell great after! I also find that committing to a bit of self care at home is easier than leaving sometimes so do this !
Here are links to my favourite at home “SPA” goodies.
The Rodial Dragons Blood Mask is incredible ! it is super hydrating and leaves my skin looking beautiful and radiant. Click here to order yours : Rodial Face Mask
Another at home must have is the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel. It is a spa grade apple enzyme peel that will deeply exfoliate your skin leaving it looking like you just spent hours at the spa. Click here to learn more : Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel
Work out. Now this can be a huge luxury to moms, I didn’t workout in a facility for close to 2 years after having Eve. I relied on home workouts – thank goodness for YouTube. these are my two favourites for at home workouts:
Yoga with Adrienne or Blogilates
There are so many health and psychological benefits to working out that if there is one thing you should try do for yourself it’s dedicate a couple times a week to working out.
I recently started working out outside of the house again. I signed up at a Kickboxing circuit gym called 9ROUND in the east end. It’s perfect for me as it’s a 30 minute circuit. I can workout in 30 minutes any time I want. I also love that there are no scheduled classes just show up, sweat, feel good and leave. I also feel really badass when I put my booking gloves on 🙂
Here’s a link to their website to find out more : 9Round Fitness
As we go into the holiday season and love is everywhere, remember to love yourself too. Take a few minutes, or take a few hours and do something that will make you happy. You deserve it!
Thank you for reading this everyone! I hope you enjoyed this post. Agree or disagree? Leave a message for me below and share how you take care of you.
And sometimes :
Xo Shira
