Happy Mother’s Day
Every year at Mother’s day I ask us to take pause to celebrate our moms in our community. Moms work so hard in our country to be the primary caregivers in their home and executive powerhouses. In many cases so much is demanded of them and balance of just being able to be a mom is clearly absent. Taking pause once a year in our hectic lives is easy enough.
I mentioned some of these ideas to you in years past but it never hurts to revisit them to remind us to allow rest and recovery to the beautiful women in our lives. In celebration of the moms within our Team Beachbody family and within your immediate family during this season of hope and new life let’s discuss a few (mostly free) ways to make this Mother’s Day extra special for yourself if you are yourself a mom and the moms you love in your life.
The best way for moms to recharge their bodies and minds is through some quiet time and much-needed relaxation. Sometimes we lose sight of the many ways we can recharge in this busy world. Busy moms seldom if ever take time for themselves. Are you a busy mom like this? Your children are too young or you are just too busy to slow down? You are not alone. Most moms are rowing the same boat between work and home-life balance there is not any time left to refill the soul. One way you can get some much-needed relaxation is through self- love. Ask someone to help you with the children so you can take an uninterrupted bubble bath and leave the guilt behind because you need and deserve to recharge your soul so you can be the best possible mom for your family. While deep in the suds you can light some candles, play some soothing music, or even bring along your favorite book. Add a few drops of lavender to your bubble bath if you tolerate lavender well. The idea of a bath doesn’t excite you? How about taking this same idea to a quiet space again uninterrupted with candles, a book or music. A cozy bed, a beachfront, or a local park? Keep the electronics out of this space of solitude. Just you, the peace of the world, and maybe a few deep relaxing breaths.
Another great way to slow the pace is to meditate. Many moms tell me they have no idea where to even start with meditation. I was there once myself. I understand completely that meditation can be a bit intimidating. But meditation has been proven to rewire the brain, calm the soul and even lower blood pressure. You can begin by downloading the app Headspace. It is a simple to follow app that will walk you through increasingly longer meditations with the first one only being a couple of minutes. Before you know it you will be a meditation expert.
Meditation in motion can be found through yoga. We have a ton of great yoga workouts in our Beachbody library that you and your loved ones likely have access too already. The three-week yoga retreat is great for all levels from beginners to advanced. Make it a commitment to yourself starting now to do a least one yoga practice a week. In one year look back at the changes you see by just making this tiny change.
Another fantastic way to unwind is to be creative. I remember a day that I took my recycling pile and I turned it into the most obscene art project but it was fun and a good way to relax. If you are more of a creative soul get out the kids’ paints, crayons, markers but this time for yourself and create something fun and not serious at all. You don’t have to be Picasso to slap some paint on a piece of paper. Bring a fun attitude and remember what it was like to be a kid. You will be recharged and more joyful after you finish your masterpiece. You can even put it on the refrigerator when you get finished.
Travel isn’t free and it has become quite difficult in many ways in our current environment but how about a staycation at a mountain cabin or even in the privacy of your own home? The beautiful thing about the US is you can drive to so many different topographies and landscapes. There are so many beautiful places in the United States that would welcome you without ever having to get on a plane for international travel. Some of my favorites for relaxation are Traverse City, MI; Avila Beach, CA; Cape Cod, MA; Delanaga, GA; Great Smokey Mountains, TN; Hatteras Island, NC; and Port Angeles, WA.
What are some other ways that you like to unwind and let your hair down? For me, Mother’s day is not about stimulating the economy but about a time that we can show ourselves love and kindness. Once you are recharged you can celebrate with your family with a clear mind and a full heart because when we first love ourselves we can then love others more deeply and patiently. Happy Mother’s day mamas. You earned your time, take a deep breath, and live boldly.
