Being a parent is busy. There is just no getting around it. Things can quite quickly become overwhelming if we don’t make sure that we are taking care of ourselves too.

A great time to do this is when the little ones are in school. Guilty-free time to completely prioritize yourself and be mentally strong for when they do come home from school and the madness really begins.

Yes, at times the mum guilt will set in and you will wonder whether or not you should be doing some chores or anything other than something for yourself.

But, try to remember that you are your best self when you are looking after yourself - both mentally and physically. If you are on the go constantly with your mind always full, there will be very little patience left for your little ones or anything else, for that matter.

Where to start?

You don’t have to join a gym or a yoga class to look after yourself and you don’t even have to spend much of morning doing so. But, consistency is key here. There is no point in doing something once a week, fortnight or just whenever you remember. Make a plan and stick to it.

Here are some things to consider:

Meditation

Meditation is a great place to start. Some of the most successful people in the world meditate every morning and it’s no surprise why. Meditation is proven to reduce stress, control anxiety and increase your attention span among a plethora of other benefits. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy session either. There are plenty of options once you set the intention.

Move

Moving your body releases endorphins. Studies show that increasing your bodies level of endorphins, in turn, decreases the levels of stress. Again, this doesn’t have to be a gym class or a 10k run. A little at home workout or a walk to the shops instead of driving will make all the difference.

Set your intentions

While you have some time, it is a great idea to set your plans for the day or even the week. What you have to do and where you and your child have to be on different days, things like that. Once these are written down, we can release them from our mind and feel less cluttered and less stressed.

Recover

Have a day where you do nothing, at all. Have a duvet day on the couch and watch a movie. Resting and recovering is just as important for our bodies as everything else. Even once a month of resting will be something you cherish and look forward to. If you plan your week around it and everything else that needs to be done, you can even enjoy it guilt free!