Somewhere along the lines of becoming mothers, we stop prioritizing ourselves and focus solely on the care of our children. It's the natural progression of things. Our children and families demand much of our time, and naturally, we put our care last on our long list of to-dos.
That nightly glass of wine? Nope. No time for that. An at-home wine tasting with some girlfriends? Can't do it when you have driving duty for the school dance. An extra hour of sleep? Sleep. What's that?
My oldest daughter celebrated her 15th birthday a few days ago, and when I look back on her early years and the amount of time I dedicated to her versus to myself, I realize there was quite an imbalance. And for good reason.
But over the course of the past few years and as my daughters have gotten older and more independent (they are 15 and 11 now), I've started to devote more time to self-care.
Self-care is a must for our overall well being. If we can't take good care of ourselves, we can't take good care of anyone else. So, it's time to step up and challenge yourself to start taking care of yourself and making time for yourself.
Here are a few of the ways I practice self-care.
1. Exercise Regularly
I used to be a yo-yo exerciser. I could count the number of times I went to the gym each month on one hand and still have a few fingers to spare. But at the beginning of the year, I made a promise to myself to devote more time to regular exercise and finding what I love and making time for it. For me that's yoga and walking. Now, I am at the gym at least 5 times per week splitting my time between the fitness center and yoga classes.
2. Relax and Unwind
As moms we lead busy, hectic, and chaotic lives. From being chefs to chauffeurs and everything in between, who has time to relax? You do! Thursday, May 25th is National Chardonnay Day. If you can't squeeze in some time before then to unwind, block off the evening on your calendar to spend some time by yourself or with a few girlfriends on your patio enjoying a glass of Wente® Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay.
I love heading out to my deck in the early evening before dinner to enjoy a glass of wine. It's so peaceful and gives me just enough time to recover from the day before dinner and bedtime. Another favorite spot is on my front porch. Sometimes I grab a magazine and head for the rocking chair or I'll wait around to catch neighbors who are walking their dogs after dinner.
3. Eat Clean Foods
Somehow when I started consistently working out, I also started consistently eating right. They go hand in hand, and when you start doing one, you automatically start doing the other. As with anything, I allow myself wiggle room and all things in moderation, including wine!
This has always been difficult for me. I've never been a good sleeper. I don't particularly like naps, unless I've had an awful night's sleep the night before. However, as I've aged, I am finding that a quality 7-8 hours is necessary for me to perform optimally the following day. Plus, now that I am exercising regularly, it has gone a long way in helping me keep a regular sleep schedule.
What do you do to practice self-care? Do you treat yourself to something special each day, week, or month?
Do you like to enjoy a glass of wine occasionally? And if so, who are you raising your glass to honor?
Wente Vineyards can help you toast someone special. Click here to locate where you can purchase Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay so you can enjoy a glass on National Chardonnay Day.
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