Hi friends! Thanks for joining me again on the blog. As the week comes to an end I would like to encourage you to check in with yourself. What does your mind, body, and soul need? Is your mind needing to rest or reset? Your body needing to recharge or relax? Or have you been running rampant in both areas you’re in desperate need of all four?

It can be hard to carve out the smallest amount of alone time; therefore, how do you know whether you need to prioritize resting, relaxing, recharging, or resetting? Well, you’re in luck mama, because that is our focus for today.

Even with self-care Saturday & Sunday at an all time high, as a mama, it can still be challenging to find time to rest, relax, recharge, and reset.

Rest

When is the last time you were still? When I refer to ‘rest’ I am speaking of ‘ceasing movement in order to refresh oneself’, or in layman terms ‘being still’.

Between managing our endless to do lists, appointments, virtual school, working from home, meetings, advocacy work, volunteering, caring for kids, or passion projects we are being run ragged by our booked & busy lifestyles.

If you have been on the go I would encourage you to prioritize being still. That’s it just still.

Whether you’re sitting on the porch, in your car, on the couch, or in a special spot in your closet find a space where you can slow down and cease the urge to GO GO GO!

Find a place where you can stop moving and just be still.

relax

When is the last time you relaxed? I mean really relaxed.

When I refer to ‘relax’ I am speaking of ‘a way to become less tense or anxious’. If you already identified ‘resting’ as an area to prioritize take the next few seconds to check in with your mind and body.

Is your body stiff and achy? Or has your mind been racing & having trouble focusing? If this sounds like you, you might need to add some relaxation to your resting.

From manis, pedis, facials, massages, & lets not forget about brows, when it comes to being pampered I like to go ALL IN! But with COVID-19 still amongst us raise your hand if you’ve had to get a little creative in the pampering department?

With limited access to our usual amenities you may have had to pull out your own personal nail kit (not one of my strengths so my hands & feet look a mess), at home massagers, facials, face steamers, or have taken your fair share of bubble baths. If you have been pampering it up over the past few months or plan to work it into your schedule this upcoming week, I want to encourage you to take it to the next level.

Grab a glass of wine, some candles, music, diffuser, lots & lots of bubbles (if you’re in the bath), lavender, robe, and comfy slippers. In addition to setting the mood for physical relaxation don’t forget about mental relaxation.

While pampering yourself or if you find yourself pressed for time try one of my favorite activities.

Breathe work!

I am a huge fan of breathing exercises because it is a activity that can be done at any time, is 100% free, and has a high success rate. If you’re new to breathe work I have a few tips to help you slow down your thoughts, promote relaxation, and maximize your experience.

1. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth
2. Make your inhale shorter than your exhale. For example, inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. This method of breathing lowers your heart rate promoting relaxation.
3. Take deep belly breaths instead of chest breaths
4. Slow down your thoughts & rest your mind by thinking of the words inhale & exhale or a calming phrase of your choice.

recharge

When I refer to ‘recharge’ I am speaking of ‘recovering from mental or physical exhaustion’ or in other words refilling your cup.

Have you heard the phrase, “you cannot pour from a empty cup”? Well, if you have this is the area where you will incorporate those types of activities. The activities that refuel your soul.

Your personality type and recent life events will have a huge impact on how you recharge. For some 30 minutes of alone time to disconnect from social media, meditate, knit or do yoga will do the trick while others may need to connect with nature by going on a hike or bike ride, and for my social butterflies you may be in need of a COVID-19 friendly meet up with your girlfriends either in person or virtually.

The way you recharge may differ from week to week, but that’s okay. At different times you are needing different things. Listen to yourself and do what works best for you.

reset

Last but certainly not least we are going to look at resetting ourselves. When I refer to ‘reset’ I am speaking of ‘to adjust or do in a different way’.

How do you make internal changes and rid yourself of people, places, things, or processes that no longer serve you?

One way is by prioritizing time for self-exploration through journaling, meditating, or sharing your thoughts with a friend. I believe resting, relaxing, and recharging are extremely important but once those areas have been explored it is important to reset yourself.

I find an internal reset extremely important in my overall health and would encourage you to find time to explore this area further. It may cause you to set boundaries with others and yourself, and that is okay because these boundaries are probably needed. I won’t get into boundaries right now because that is a whole other post…Trust me!

Initially today was supposed to be a shorty but goody, but in usual Patience fashion my words got away from me and I kept going going going.

See you next time,

Patience

Let me know your thoughts. What will you be prioritizing in the upcoming week? Resting, relaxing, recharging, or resetting.

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If you need any additional support as you navigate motherhood schedule a 15-minute consultation with Patience today. You are not alone mama.

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