We asked some mums to share real and practical advice for doing self-care in 15 minutes or less and this is what they said.
Mindful breathing - bringing attention to only your breath is a great relaxation technique - Sesh Naidoo, Mum, Science Teacher and Co-Founder of the Circle of Alphas, recommends lying down with a single focus on mindfully controlling your breath. Do it at home - The most basic way to do mindful breathing is simply to focus your attention on your breath, then inhale and exhale. You can do this while standing, but ideally you’ll be sitting or even lying in a comfortable position. Your eyes may be open or closed, but you may find it easier to maintain your focus if you close your eyes. It can help to set aside a designated time for this exercise, but it can also help to practice it when you’re feeling particularly stressed or anxious. Experts believe a regular practice of mindful breathing can make it easier to do it in difficult situations.
2 Take an epsom salts bath - not original, but super effective right now. We’ve spoken to many mums who feel like their only sanctuary is their bathroom; sound familiar? Why not make the bathroom a regular safe-haven in the morning before little feet make an entrance, by running yourself a relaxing bath. Epsom salts optional. Lavender essential oil is also nice.
3 Create your own running circuit Maud Hodson, of runequal.org, ran a marathon in her back garden last year. “It is a small garden - about 8.5 metres long, and quite narrow, she explained. “I’ve managed to refine that into a figure-of-eight lap of 19 metres, moving the garden chairs into the middle so I can run behind them, so now I will run 2,221 laps of the garden!” Julie Creffield, transformational coach and plus size marathon runner has created a programme of fitness, wellness and mindset at toofattorun.co.uk. Julie said: “ For many women we find it hard enough to prioritise our wellbeing at the best of times, I just wanted to hold space for women to do movement and wellness activities in a perfectly imperfect way.”
