Self-care is truly an expression of self-love. We asked the women in our FIT4MOM Greater NW Chicago Suburbs Village for their best self-care tips and advice on how to show yourself some self-love this Valentine’s Day season.
Set a bedtime routine. We make a big deal about getting our kids on a bedtime routine, but have you ever thought about setting yourself a bedtime routine? The phenomenon is called “revenge bedtime procrastination.” It’s where one sacrifices sleep in order to reclaim some leisure time in their day. Picture this: you finally get your kids to bed and you use your quiet time to catch up on your shows, read books, or scroll social media. And you stay up way too late. That late night coupled with an early morning could lead to sleep deprivation. Set up a bedtime routine that allows you to accomplish what you need and want to do, while still allowing you to turn the lights off to get enough sleep.
Drink. More. Water. Did you know that according to the Mayo Clinic, women should consume about 91 ounces of water each day? Water is so important to our body’s overall function. Encourage yourself to drink more water by finding a water bottle or cup that brings you joy! Maybe you have the trendy “it” cup of the moment. Maybe you have an old water bottle buried deep in a cabinet. Find the cup that makes you happy and fill it up to stay hydrated!
Find an accountability partner. You are not an island. Motherhood is a team sport! Find yourself a support person in your life to communicate your goals, desires, and plans. This could be a spouse/partner, a friend, a family member, or any trusted person in your life. Let them know what you’re working towards in your life and be the same for them. By sharing your goals and plans, you are better positioned to meet them with another person cheering you on.
Join a Village.Motherhood can be isolating, especially during the cold winter months here in the midwest. Try and venture out to your local library storytime, school event, social media group, or coffee shop to meet other local moms. Like finding an accountability partner, find a village of moms. At FIT4MOM, we welcome all moms in every stage of motherhood, from prenatal to postnatal and beyond. Check out our schedule of classes and activities!