As moms, it's easy to get worn down, worn out, and exhausted. We are constantly caring for other people and if we aren't careful, we'll just completely burn out. With this in mind, here are 10 ways to stay energized as a mom:
1. Remove Some of the Drains
I read Leading on Empty last year and was so challenged by the author's encouragement to make a list of those things that drain you and those things that energize you. When I made my list, I realized that things were very lopsided in my life: I was doing a lot more things that drained me and very few things that energized me.
Can I encourage you to try this exercise sometime this week? It may just be as eye-opening to you as it was to me!
2. Make Real-Life Friendships a Priority
Even if you're an introvert like me, friendships are a necessity. Make them a priority. Ask your friend over for lunch. Say "yes" to the park playdate. Call or text your friend to see how she's doing if you haven't heard from her in a while.
Now, I must be quick to say that, if you're a social butterfly, you might be burning yourself out by having too much social interaction. You might need to cut back and set some boundaries on how many social engagements or ministry opportunities so that you have more margin in your day.
Find a healthy balance that works for you. But whatever that healthy balance is, I promise you that it does not consist of you hiding away in your home as a hermit!
3. Shut the Electronics Down Early
My husband encouraged me to make it my goal to turn my laptop and my phone off by 6 p.m. every evening. I don't always accomplish this, but I've found that I always wake up more energized and refreshed when I do.
Plus, if my computer is shut off by 6 p.m., I'm able to enjoy a completely distraction-free dinner and family time, rather than having to worry about answering that urgent email or respond to a blog comment.
4. Take a Weekly Sabbath
Going hand in hand with the above suggestion, I have become a very firm believer in taking a weekly Sabbath. This is something that God modeled for us when He created the earth. And I think it's with very good reason: He knew our bodies and minds needed a weekly respite from all the busyness and activity.
Our family has chosen to make Sundays our weekly Sabbath. We typically do very little that day other than go to church, spend time with friends and family, and sleep and read. It's a day to recharge, refresh, and reconnect -- and it's been one of the best decisions we've ever for the sanity and health of our family.
5. Swap an Afternoon of Childcare With Another Mom
I'm a firm believer in the fact that all moms need some quiet. If you're currently feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, step back and ask yourself how much quiet you've had over the past few weeks. I'm amazed at what just an hour or two of uninterrupted quiet -- even just to go grocery shopping! -- can do for me as a mom.
One great way to accomplish weekly or bi-weekly quiet is to swap an afternoon of childcare with a friend every other week. Neither of you have to pay for a sitter and both of you get a guaranteed block of time to work on a project, enjoy a leisurely stroll through a bookstore, or even get in a nap!
6. Have a Quiet Hour
Speaking of quiet, another great way to have regular quiet time in your home is by practicing Quiet Hour at your house. When my children were little, this was a must. The two youngest would have their naps at the same time and my older daughter would play in her room, listen to audiobooks from the library, or play with Day of the Week Tubs.
If you'd like to do something similar in your home but this is a brand-new concept, start small. Get your kids excited about the idea of playing quietly with some special "For Quiet Time Only" toys or crafts and then tell them that you're going to set the timer (for 15 minutes, maybe?) and if they don't come out of their room until the timer goes off that they'll get a reward. Gradually increase the time until you feel like you've found a good time increment that works best for your family (ideally somewhere around an hour, depending upon the age of your children).
7. Get Up Early
I know, I know. I probably sound like a broken record to be bringing this up in my last post and now again in this post. But I can't tell you how much of a difference it makes!
I dare you to try getting up 15 to 30 minutes before the rest of your family for 3-4 weeks and just see if it makes a difference. If you're anything like me, you'll end up having a lot more energy and productivity by getting a head start on your day.
8. Take Care of Yourself
It's not selfish to take care of yourself; it's necessary for your sanity and health -- and it will likely benefit your family and marriage, too! You see, if you don't eat well, exercise, and get enough rest, you're not going to have very much energy. And that's going to directly impact your mothering and marriage.
In addition, take a little time to shower and make yourself presentable everyday. I know that sweats are comfy, but I promise that you'll feel better if you take just a little time to look good for your family.
9. Laugh Often
Scripture says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). It’s amazing how smiling, laughing, and seeing the humorous side of life can just make life more enjoyable — and give you much more zest for life!
We laugh a lot at our house. We laugh at ourselves, we laugh at each other, and we sometimes laugh for seemingly no reason at all — or at least we forgot what it was that we were first laughing about. We believe life is meant to be savored — and sometimes being silly just makes it a whole lot more fun!
I’m always on the lookout for a funny story to share with Jesse from something the children say or do. If I find some funny photo or saying on Pinterest, I’ll email it to Jesse or save it to show him when he comes home. And we also love to watch comedy clips or funny movies as a family. Look for the humor in life — and you’ll probably start to find it just about everywhere!
10. Sing Loudly
This might seem a little crazy, but it's just about near impossible to be despondent when you're singing at the top of your lungs. In fact, I've found that even when I'm exhausted, if I turn on some upbeat music and start singing, I'm infused with a complete renewal of energy. Try it sometime and see if you prove me wrong! :)
What are you tips and suggestions for staying energized as a mom?
P.S. If you're feeling really drained in your mothering or just in life in general right now, I would be honored to pray for you. Would you do me a favor and leave a comment on this post so that I and others can come alongside you and pray for you and encourage you in this journey of life? {Hugs!} to you and please don't give up!
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