Mornings can be the busiest time of day for full-time parents. Especially if you have little ones under the age of 5 running around. Without a plan to fit time in for a personal self-care routine, you will find yourself anxious and unsteady. Below are a few tips on how to incorporate a self-care routine to your mornings.
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Starting Your Day Earlier
If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about being on time in the morning, work on waking up earlier. Start with giving yourself an extra 30 minutes to get prepared for your day. This additional time should be used to focus on your personal needs versus the rest of your family. With the extra time, you can complete the following:
- Stretching– Some stretching to get the blood pumping will help you focus on being in the moment. Stretching improves your flexibility and range of motion. Even if you are unable to work out in the mornings, stretching can help improve your physical appearance. Other physical benefits from stretching include, improving your posture, relieving pain and discomfort, and boosts your energy level.
- Exercising – Exercising in the morning is a great way to jumpstart your metabolism. Physical activity also releases endorphins, which can enhance your mood and provide a natural energy boost. The right energy boost and the right amount of physical activity will help you stay fit.
- Disconnect from Devices – Scrolling can lead to minutes and even hours going by without achieving self care acts. Working to limit screen time in the morning can help improve your mental clarity and increase your physical activity. Taking breaks from electronic devices can help increase concentration and productivity. Replace the time you would spend on your devices to journal or accomplish self relaxation activities.
Make a Morning Skincare Self-Care Routine Priority
Maintaining a skincare routine in the morning will contribute to the overall health and appearance of your mind and skin. Here a some key benefits of including a skincare regime in your morning routine:
- Cleanse and Remove Dead Skin – Using a foam cleanser to remove dirt and impurities will prevent itchy skin and remove dead skin from the night before. Once you have cleansed your face, using a toner or toner pad will prepare your skin for the next steps of providing moisture and UV protection. After months of focusing on mental health and and mental clarity, I have found the best cleanser for my skin is Rice Water Foaming Facial Cleanser and the best toner being Medicube Zero Pore Pads.
- Hydration and Moisture Retention – Using a vitamin C serum and good moisturizer will ensure you have a smooth and radiant skin texture and appearance. Being able to be more confident in the skin that you’re in will aid in you looking forward to being seen versus wanting to hide or keep your cameras off during zoom meetings.
- Protect from UV Rays – Protecting your skin from the sun with a good sunscreen can help reduce redness and inflammation. Choosing a broad-spectrum with at least SPF-30 and applying it every morning, even on cloudy days, will protect your health long term.
Applying makeup after focusing on protecting the top layers of your skin is optional. I am not a big makeup person and will usually just use a tint for my eyebrows and eyeliner if I choose not to enhance my eyelashes.
Drinking a Glass of Water
Rehydrating your body after waking up in the morning will also help kick start your metabolism. A simple inclusion to your routine of drinking water first thing in the morning will help flush out toxins. To help your body’s natural detoxification process, water with a slice of lime or lemon will aid in promoting better organ function.
mindfulness and meditation
Taking the time to practice mindfulness can go along way. This self-care routine will help reduce stress and increase your overall focus and mental health. Using the app on your phone or watch can help remind you to stop and meditate. Having a reminder set will allow you to take the moment to achieve the set goal for morning meditation.
journaling and planning
Creating a journal to plan out your day or to write the things you are thankful for helps with mental clarity. Preparing your mind for a busy day will help you be more prepared for what comes next. Set goals that you want to achieve for the day in hopes to celebrate them in the evening. Journaling your journey is a great way to stay connected to the days’ events. Try not to let the day go by on auto-pilot. Your morning routines should have purpose and give you a sense of accomplishment.
In conclusion, finding ways to balance your busy life and to ensure you incorporate self-care is a vital goal to achieve. The tips provided can help busy parents create a morning routine that helps them start the day feeling refreshed, focused, and positive.