Self Care + Traveling for your Health

Being a mom is a 24hr 7 days per week job and if you're earning an income as a momprenuer or working in corporate America that just adds even more responsibility to your list of things to do. It can be very easy to get distracted and lose track of the need to take care of yourself. This post is purposed with sharing some great tips on how I try to carve out some quality 'me' time for self-care because after all how can you take of your family if you're not whole?

As a SAHM mom I'm often focused on taking care of the boys because after all that is my job but making myself happy is as equally important. I'm personally an introvert with a need to be alone daily so being a SAHM and wife most certainly contradicts that need. I've learned however that happiness, even in small doses, can satisfy that need and leads way to me being more productive as my children's mother, educator, nurse, chauffeur, chef etc as well as lays a stronger foundation for my responsibilities as a wife to my spouse. Taking care of yourself is one of the best gifts you can give to your family, it will make you happier and give you a more balanced mental health.

Self-care isn't selfish at all. In fact, one of my favorite types of self care is through exercising for mental health. Let me be honest here about my journey through motherhood thus far. I came from working in corporate America with one child in daycare to quickly becoming a mother of a 2 year old + newborn with a new nanny at home that I felt I had to watch on the nanny cam + my demanding job. Don't get me wrong here, I was still very married with a working husband in the home but his involvement paled in comparison to my responsibilities. The stress just became too overwhelming for me so we decided that I would retire to becoming a SAHM. We live in a city far away from any family members that would be our support system so it is literally him + I against the world or my tasmanian toddlers lol

For the first two years as a mother of 2 very young boys my life seemed like it was turned upside down and I could have used way more self-care and time alone to get my mental health in a better balance. I mainly used fitness as my means of self-care but much of that working out was done with my children in tow and as for an introvert that just didn't work for me. I spent countless hours hiking, running, + swimming with my children to get that baby weight off but working out in a gym outside of my home was the only way that really worked for me. I felt my best at the gym and got the most out of my time while there. Paying for a monthly gym membership, only $10 at Planet Fitness, was an inexpensive yet vital investment in my self-care. It is often said that lifting weights is therapy and for me this is true.

Speaking of fitness, I usually try to exercise even when on vacation because I need to take that 'self-care' with me where ever I go. Recently, during our trip to Orlando Florida I packed some resistance bands to use at their gym. Traveling as a family, while fun it can be stressful at times too especially if you have younger children who are more prone to sibling spats and tantrums. I often will book a hotel based on the beach + their gym since that is a must have for me. You can also chose to book a massage or participate in a yoga class at your resort while on vacation to get some quality self care time away from the family.

Another great way to improve your mental health through self-care is traveling. Traveling for mental health is simply taking time away from your daily rut, whether that means boarding a plane or taking a staycation, you're just carving out time for yourself to reconnect. Personally, I wish I had done this sooner in my motherhood but I've just recently booked my first momcation without my hubs and children and I couldn't be more excited. In the USA, we generally don't get much vacation time like some Western countries so people often neglect to take time off but I'm here to tell you to do it and do it often, you need it. I was afraid to take time off without my children for a long time. I gave myself excuses like I'm nursing, they are still in diapers, and my husband won't want me to. I had anxiety and still going through post partum depression as well but I'm finally in a better place and have reconciled this need to go with myself. I have to be able to let go and trust that my husband will do his part while I'm away and hopefully the children will understand.

Have you ever felt this way about taking a vacation without your family? How did you cope? Let me know.

Happy Travels!

#travel