Mum Love: Easy Self-Care Hacks To Add To Your Daily Routine

Frazzled? We hear you.

I just smacked my shin on the bathtub. I’ve got deadlines, lunches to cook, my sleep is in deficit. My washing basket is like Mary Poppins’ magic bottomless handbag and to top it off my toddler seems to have the energy power of a Marvel superhero.

If Dr. Seuss has taught me anything during repeat bedtime readings, it’s that this is called a slump. And as he so wisely warned “un-slumping yourself is not easily done”. Although I’m sure this is nothing a rejuvenating facial, massage, yoga posture or kickboxing class couldn’t cure but – and I think all my baby mamas and daddas out there will feel me on this – sometimes that’s just not on the cards.

So how do we find the strength to break through our limitations and crack our hearts open just that bit more than we thought we could ever bear?

via Instagram @justy_olive

Ordinary self-care habits that look like everyday life are where it’s at. And no, rose petals are not required. Nourishment should be about joy, so here are a few mum hacks we stand by to get a fast daily dose of loving to our body and mind.

via Instagram @dicolaaa

1. Find your still point

Lay on your back with your legs vertical (against a couch or a wall). Now stay there for as long as possible. Ten minutes is optimum but anything under will still benefit. This relieves tired leg muscles, calms the nervous system, activates the body to heal and helps cultivate a quiet mind.

via Instagram @laurengores

2. Shake it off

Ever seen a child have a tantrum that looks like an interpretive dance? Turns out the reason behind all the shaking is to release tension from their body (before they are old enough to master the art of holding it in). There’s even a fancy name for it ‘Trauma Release Exercises’. Benefits include regulating your nervous system, releasing tension and waking up the body. So next time your brain is tweaking get up, blast your playlist du jour and shake it like a polaroid picture. Your head, arms, hands, legs, feet. Chances are your family will either join in too or send you to get a facial because of your strange behaviour.

via Instagram @notsomumsy

3. Oil yourself

In Ayurveda, the word ‘sneha' means both to oil and to love yourself. Whether you like a skin serum or an essential oil, it’s taking the time to honour your body that is really powerful. Something as simple as diffusing peppermint to open up your airways when feeling anxiety, or adding a face and body massage with your choice of oil to your night routine to stimulate the blood flow and acupressure.

via Instagram @laurengores

4. Wash away

Water is one of our most accessible elements to shift our energy/mood. NY healer @MamaMedicine on Instagram prescribes ritual baths to heal you. Not only does it detox but it also is a universal method to regenerate and gain clarity. Twenty minutes is all it takes. If you don’t have a lush bathroom kit handy, no sweat. Just raid the kitchen. Simply brew a few bags of green tea prior in a pot to evoke energy and throw in the tub a pinch of salt for cleansing (any kind will do but epsom and Himalayan are ultra powerful). You can go as basic or lush as you feel. And if no bath in your house, Mama Medicine recommends making a tea brew and taking into the shower with you, once cool pour over the head.