Please note this article is partially sponsored by the Vancouver Skin and Laser Clinic. I am working in partnership with the Vancouver Skin and Laser clinic and have been gifted products and treatments in exchange for my honest review.
Self-Care Tips For Moms During COVID
Covid-19 has disrupted the way we live life. It has caused many stresses and anxieties as we navigate through the unknown. That’s why it’s so important that we learn to pause and take care of ourselves in whatever we can. For many, self-care comes naturally. But for us moms who have a lot on our plate, it can be hard to find where our self-care routine fits in. This article will touch on some really helpful self-care tips.
For us to really help our family during these “unprecedented” (yes I had to say it one more time) times, we need to make this a priority. We don’t want to become so pandemic fatigued that it takes an extra toll on our mental health or has affected our relationship with our kids. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
So, what is self-care?
The dictionary defines it as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.” So in reality it’s simply taking care of yourself. I recently read the analogy of self-care and a flight attendant’s instructions. When you get on an airplane, you are reminded of basic safety practices should anything happen during your flight. What does the flight attendant tell you to do? Put your oxygen mask on first, before assisting others. This includes your children. Why? Because how can you assist anyone else if you are out of oxygen.
The same can be applied in our life when it comes to self-care. We need to have a self-care routine in place so that we don’t run out of oxygen, or in this case burnout, so to speak.
With that being said, I don’t want to see anyone burning out and that includes myself. As mothers, we deserve days where we care for ourselves. I have found these essential self-care tips truly help me cope during these difficult times.
Sleep
Sleep is something I have struggled with for a very long time. Especially with little kids who have you up at all sorts of hours during the night and day. However, sleep and our health are so strongly related. Poor sleep usually means poor health. One of the things I have done this year in terms of self-care is seeking a naturopath to help me naturally figure out what is going on with my body and why I struggle to sleep.
Once I changed up some things in my diet and started practicing other self-care habits, I started to sleep better. Don’t take for granted the importance of getting a good night’s rest. If you have a newborn at home or are perhaps going through sleep regressions with your little ones, it’s ok to just hang out in bed. It’s ok to put on a little show that they will watch just to allow you time to get some rest.
Eat Your Breakfast
We get so busy making breakfast for everyone else in the house it’s easy to completely forget about ourselves. It is so important for our overall health to get in a nutritious breakfast. If you are anything like me, I am always juggling a thousand different things, but a quick smoothie with all the goods in it is a really effective and healthy way to start my day! Regardless of what works for you, just remember to EAT!
Here is a list of 7 really healthy recipes that are meant to boost your mood!
Move Your Body
In line with a healthy nutritious diet to give us the energy we need, we need to move our bodies. Especially with most of us now working remotely from home, and half of the world being on lockdowns, we can’t deny we are sitting a lot more. So whether you do a small routine that gets your body moving at home (due to restrictions) or can get outside for some fresh air and movement, do it! Engaging in exercise, even a simple light walk can reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood, boost self-esteem, minimize stress, and enhance cognitive functioning.
Do something you LOVE to do
We adore our kids! No person is ever judging the love we have for our children, so it is OK to do some things that WE love to do.
Get a babysitter, get your husband to watch the kids, or find a way to escape for a little bit and step away from being a mom for a minute. Remember being a mom isn’t all there is to us. It doesn’t even have to be a long escape. An hour away to go shopping or grab a coffee without the kids. Anything that gives you a small break and is something you enjoy doing, DO IT. No mom-guilt allowed!
Pamper Yourself
This is something I have really taken seriously this year! A face mask at home and a hot bath with a glass of wine is a fantastic way to pamper yourself. And I still do that often! However, with children, we all know the bathroom door doesn’t stay closed long enough before someone’s trying to crash your peaceful alone time.
That’s why this year, I started actually finding something for ME that I wanted to do, that would be pampering, outside of the house!
Vancouver Skin and Laser Clinic
I’ve always loved skincare, but since having kids I had stopped investing in it. Always putting the needs of everyone else ahead of my own became my norm. But as we are learning, that’s not self-care. So, I did something for myself and booked an appointment with Vancouver Skin and Laser Clinic. They gave me an hour-long skin consultation to discuss my skin goals.
I got started right away on a series of IPL (intense pulsed lighting) treatments. This is done to minimize the appearance of age spots, sun spots, acne scars, rosacea, and so on… I follow it up with an incredibly soothing 45-minute post-care treatment to moisturize and hydrate my skin. This seriously almost puts me to sleep each time. So incredibly relaxing!
A snippet from a video of my post-care treatment after my IPL. For more videos on my treatments be sure to watch here.
To further help me reach my skin goals and contribute to my self-care routine, they suggested a simple at-home routine. Having kids takes a huge toll on our skin and it just feels so good to do something for me again. As moms, we do NOT have a lot of time on our hands for an elaborate skincare routine so I appreciate how simple yet effective mine is. Below are the products that Vancouver Skin and Laser Clinic encouraged me to use, and that I am loving!
Self-Care Skin Care Routine
In the morning I start with the SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel, followed by the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum, ending with the ZO Skin Health Daily Sheer SPF 50 (super important to wear SPF even through the winter months).
For my evening routine, I was with SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel, followed by the Skin Ceuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum. After that, I use a few drops of the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum and finally use the ZO Skin Health Recovery Crème.
About every three days, I exfoliate with the ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish. This polish is actually Magnesium crystals that exfoliate dead skin cells to create a clear, smooth and even-toned complexion.
Products were gifted to me in lieu of sponsorship with Vancouver Skin and Laser Clinic
If you live in the Metro Vancouver area, be sure to check out the beautiful Vancouver Skin and Laser Clinic. You can book an appointment online to discuss your goals and needs. As a bonus, you can use “ASIA10” for 10% off for your first treatment or on the product.
Self -Care For Moms During COVID Is Important
Hang in there! Self-care during this pandemic especially as moms is so important. Don’t take it for granted. Recognize how easy it can be to burn yourself out with motherhood. Use these necessary, simple and essential self-care tips to help you cope through these difficult times! Remember, you have to put your oxygen mask on first before being able to assist anyone else.
What self-care tips have you found helpful?
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XO, Asia
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