Mothers of small children and teenagers are busy people. For most, multitasking isn’t a new catchphrase but a well-established way of life. And in addition to all the demands of raising children, many women also maintain careers, participate in community activities, care for aging parents, cook, clean, and make sure everyone in the house has clean socks. It’s no wonder that self-care often falls through the cracks.

In The Motherhood Report: How Women Feel About Being Mothers, researchers Eva Margolies and Louis Genevie, PhD, published the results of interviews with 1,100 mothers of all ages. They found that, despite the many benefits of parenthood, only one in four mothers has very positive feelings about motherhood. Forty-five percent of the mothers they spoke to said that their day-to-day responsibilities involved more drudgery than pleasure.

To help you or the mothers in your life stay healthy and happy as this Mother’s Day approaches, consider the following holistic tips for relieving stress and enhancing well-being:

First, mothers must recognize the importance of taking time for themselves. One of the most important things a mother can do is exercise on a regular basis. Doing so will help decrease stress as the brain releases natural painkillers and chemicals, such as serotonin, that counteract the body’s stress response. Aerobic exercise also increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain and muscles, which helps improve mental acuity, provides cardiovascular benefits, aids digestion and strengthens the body. Exercising with friends is a fun way to share this important activity and provides an element of accountability, helping to ensure that Mom doesn’t skip her workouts.

Because moms may feel surrounded by noise and movement as children play and require attention, scheduling quiet time is a must. Everyone, especially mothers, can benefit from daily moments of prayer, journaling or meditation. A relaxing bubble bath or massage can be keys to physical and mental rejuvenation.

While the mother-child relationship may be of utmost importance, mothers also need one-on-one time with their husband or partner. Keeping these adult relationships strong is vital to maintaining a healthy life balance. Regular date nights allow couples to stay connected and have fun doing things that are not child-related. To make these important dates possible, it is crucial that mothers have a trustworthy network of babysitters or family members to look after the children as needed.

Finally, moms must recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh, natural foods along with a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. In fact, everyone would benefit from avoiding fast and processed foods and taking time to eat without gobbling food while rushing to get the kids to soccer practice or piano lessons. Taking the time to prepare and eat meals together as a family is also helpful for better digestion and communication.

Author's Bio: 

Linda Binns, a private practice Holistic Health Practitioner & Feng Shui consultant for eight years, offers consultations for homes and businesses. She is dedicated to helping people be aware of how they can maintain a healthy and natural lifestyle through natural healing methods and the environmental art of Feng Shui.

Linda Binns
Harmony Inside & Out, LLC
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