Moms Can Relax

How does she do it? How does that mom, or that mom or THAT mom over there… relax? No two people are the same. Something that might be relaxing to me, might be quite stressful to you, and vice-versa. I put a call-out to my pallies on Facebook and Twitter. I asked what they do to relax. Here follows tips on maternal relaxation from women who are battling in the trenches as we speak!

• Jessica of My Thoughts Exactly offered: “I relax in front of my computer… even if it’s only for 5 minutes. A computer brings me “adults” and saves my sanity. A good massage is a lifesaver as well.”
• Sondra of Happy Healthy Hip Parenting chimed in: “As a single mom, I take advantage of the time when my son is with his dad.”
• Shana of Utterances shouted: “Booze!! Sweet nectar of life!”
• Jessica in Washington state awoke to share, “I relax when I’m sleeping… what’s relaxing anyway?”
• Jill emerged from her Minnesota hot tub to add, “We have a hot tub I love to use after the kids are in bed. I HATE being in the hot tub with children – it is the exact opposite of relaxing.”
• Michele of Noggin Toppers questioned, “Relax? What’s that?” And then I think she went back to toppin’ noggin’s *wink*.
• Jennifer added, “Stay in my PJ’s and read a funny romantic novel in bed. Everything in the world that is stewing around my life disappears and I am swept away into someone else’s life.”
• Michelle went on to say, “Knitting, even if it’s only one row. Having a project going make me feel like I have something productive happening in my life with a clear start and end, you know?
• Michelle had more! (Yay Michelle!) “Reading… Swapping childcare with other moms… It helps if I can do a devotion or meditate when my kids are napping – get some perspective and take a deep breath.”
• Shannon, my darling farmer friend who authors Red Barn Farm offered her two cents, ” Jenny, I can’t relax.” It’s true. She’s a busy lady. But we need to figure something out, girl! You DESERVE time to relax, my friend!
• In order for Karen (an old college pal) to relax she, “Reads something not academic, sitting on the couch with the hubby after dishes, doing a little Facebook, watching my own show after watching one with the kids, singing worship and praise songs, and occasionally hanging with friends.”
• Marisol is a big fan of the spa! “I go to a Korean women’s spa. It’s all women naked (sounds weird, I know) but everyone is beautiful there. You soak in the tubs, sweat in the heated rooms and get out all of your tensions.”
• Nina (@momAgenda) tweeted, “Must schedule in the time for yourself! Exercise, go out w/friends, have a glass of wine, read books/magazines.”

There are so many ideas on what to do when we “find” those moments to relax. OK, those moments aren’t just “found” are they? Time to relax needs to be created, even fought for. An additional point I’d like to note is: it doesn’t have to cost money! Sometimes the thought of spending money can undo me – that certainly isn’t relaxing!

I know, I know… it is so very hard to get that time, but friends… it is so very important. It is not selfish to take some time to “deflate”. Tucking away time, even if very brief adds to what you can give to the ones you love. It may take some creativity. It may take effort and even a little elbow grease, but the effort is well spent.

Now. See if you can create a space for some relaxing. Resist the urge to use that time to make a list. Read that book, lap up a cup of coffee with a good friend… I have even been known to “pretend” I have to go to the bathroom. “Sorry kids! Mommy’s going potty!” I can read “that one” magazine article or play a couple rounds of solitaire on my cell phone. Hey. You know how it is. Desperate times call for desperate measures…

Related posts:

1. How the Heck Does a Mom Relax Anyway
2. Strategies for Helping Your Toddler Relax
3. SAHM Learns To Relax
4. Home Spa Treatments for Stay at Home Moms
5. Moms Need to Know You Love Them Now