January Self-Care Tips For Mums

For parents everywhere, ‘self’ tends to take a back seat as soon as you have a little one to take care of. But as the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you’re tired, stressed and run-down, you won’t have the energy reserves to take care of others, let alone yourself. This January, make self-care your watch word to help you take motherhood in your stride.   Here are some self-care tips to get you started.  

Minimise the noise

Listening to daily news reports, especially with rising Covid 19 cases, can be stressful. Turn off talk radio and listen to some music instead. It’s a great stress reliever.  If you’re on social, avoid falling down the rabbit hole of Twitter and Facebook and aim for lighter content on Instagram and Pinterest.   

Get your daily Vitamin D

At this time of year, Vitamin D is in short supply so top up with a supplement. This helps you to avoid the ‘January blues’. Try and get outside when the sun appears, even if its chilly. If you wrap up well, you’ll hardly notice it. Eat foods rich in Vitamin D: Oily fish, red meat, liver, cheese, eggs and foods fortified with Vitamin D such as cereals and orange juice.   

Take Folic Acid

For all those Mamas to be, make sure to keep taking your folic acid. It helps to protect your baby from neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida and Anacephaly. It can also guard against pre-eclampsia and premature labour. If you are considering having another baby, get into the habit of taking Folic Acid daily.   

Blow away the cobwebs

It’s very easy to spend January on the couch with Netflix for company. A daily dose of exercise can help you to throw off that post-Christmas sluggish feeling. A short walk, yoga session or workout can do wonders for your energy levels. Check out YouTube or your favourite App store for fitness ideas.   

Hydrate! 

They say water is life, so to feel livelier, drink more water. Start the day with a cup of hot water with lemon to wake up your body. Keep a bottle of water nearby throughout the day and sip from it as you go. It’s a good habit to get into and will give your skin a clear, healthy glow.   

Give yourself a boost

It’s very easy to slip into the habit of wearing your favourite comfy top and leggings and no make-up. Give yourself a boost once a week by wearing an outfit you really like, even if you’re not going anywhere. Add a dash of lippy and you’ll feel a million dollars.   

Treat yourself

A little pampering goes a long way so if you got any Christmas gift cards for the local hair/beauty salon, make an appointment this month. Alternatively, use that gift set you got for Christmas and smooth on some body lotion for silkier skin. Give your hair a deep conditioning treatment or make up a home face mask.  

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

How often have you seen your baby, or family pet, enjoy a good stretch?  It’s an ideal way to loosen up if you’re working at your desk/kitchen table for long periods. Take a few minutes to get up, stretch yourself and loosen up those stiffened muscles. Your body will thank you!  

Check yourself

One of the most important aspects of self-care is keeping an eye on your health. Appointments like cervical swabs, dental checks and other health screenings should not be put off. Check your breasts regularly for any abnormalities and if you feel something is amiss, don’t ignore that feeling. See a GP as soon as possible.  

Keep talking 

Phone a friend or family member or meet them for a walk. A good chat can really lift the spirits.   

These are just a few self-care tips to help you take care of yourself. But do whatever works for you. 

Next Article: Top Self-Care Tips For New Mums

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