Out of all of the wonderful roles I have been given?wife, friend, daughter, sister, trainer?there is one that stands out far above the rest?my role as a mother. I have been so blessed with 4 beautiful children that I get to love, teach, and nurture every single day, and for that I am beyond grateful. But my role as a ?mom? doesn’t stop there.
During different seasons of my life, as have many of you, I have had the amazing opportunity to be mom to so many! From my EWL peeps, to nieces and nephews, and everything in between. Being a mother is surely not bound by labor and delivery?it means so much more! From dads who have stepped into the role of ?mom? due to various circumstances, to women who have struggled with infertility but have been blessed with children through the miracle of adoption, and of course those who have shown endless love to children and friends around them providing the selflessness and care that is prerequisite for motherhood. Regardless of what ?mom? looks like for you, there is one common thread?unconditional love. And oftentimes that unconditional love means sacrificing our own personal needs for those around us.
While we love those we take care of and the things we get to do?whether it?s at home, or at work, or both?it?s also crucial that we ?moms? take care of ourselves. Yes?eating healthy and exercising regularly are so important, but often overlooked (and just as important) is taking some time for some R&R?Rest and Relaxation.
I know so many of you, myself included, feel like there just aren?t enough hours in the day as it is?so adding some daily R&R doesn?t even seem possible! Believe me, I?m right there with you. But I also know that when I do get it, even if it?s only for a few minutes, my outlook on life and how I handle the stresses in my life, improves in some pretty amazing ways:
- Reduces those stresses, and since long-term stress can cause so many health issues, getting rid of as much as I can is so important.
- Lessens anxiety.
- Boosts my mood. Those around me really appreciate that one! 😉
- Helps me remember things better. That?s a definite plus!
- Improves my ability to focus, which means it takes less time to do what I need to do, and I make better decisions.
- Helps curb cravings.
- Boosts my confidence.
- Reduces anger and frustration. Chris and my kiddos are very thankful for this one. 😉
- Helps my whole body, including my mind, repair itself = a stronger me!
The benefits of daily, or even weekly, R&R are so far reaching, that they vastly outweigh the cons of taking a personal timeout! As mothers, it is our duty to be there for the ones we love, and if we don?t carve out some time for ourselves now, we may end up limiting our capabilities in the future!
To get you started on your new path to a more healthful, restful lifestyle, I?m giving away one $100 gift card to a local day spa of the winner?s choosing! To enter, simply (1) comment below with why YOU need a mama?s day out, (2) share this post on social media channels and tag me, and (3) follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. A winner will be chosen Tuesday, May 5th. Good luck?and if you aren?t the lucky winner make sure you still take the time to celebrate motherhood and honor the amazing role you?ve been given through some good old fashioned relaxation. We ALL deserve it!
Xoxo,
Heidi
173 Responses
I would love to win a spa day. I am a single mother of two twenty-something’s. I thought my days of diapers and bottles were over but find myself with a lil one in the house a couple days a week due to any number of reasons .A parent with major medical issues, a parent incarcerated, parents that are working, or just busy and then there are my great nieces who we love to spend time with. Just trying to pay it forward to these young parents who need a helping hand.
I think all mothers out there deserve a spa day. The days are long, but as I watch my three beautiful children, I have realized that the years are short. I was told many years ago I could never have children. Then I met my husband 10 years ago. Our first daughter was born almost 7 years ago, followed by her younger sister 4 years ago and their brother 3 years ago. There are many days when the frustration levels are sky high. I want to cry, scream, yell, shutdown….then one will curl up into my lap and say they love me. Its the unconditional love from these precious babies that keep me running. I would love a spa day because although I am a mother, I am also a woman. I do not get my hair done, I do not get my nails done, I rarely ever do anything for myself because my children need things more. My husband is not working due to a work injury, so money is tight, as it is for many. A day to relax, a fresh start, a new outlook would be so very appreciated. Thank you for this opportunity, and for recognizing all that us mothers do!
Between having a full time job, being a wife, taking care of my 15 month old son, and prepping for my September baby I would gladly welcome a spa day! I think my husband would appreciate coming home to a more relaxed, happy wife as well 🙂 I know he wishes he could send me there himself.
I need a spa day because as a stay at home mom, there is very little opportunity to have me time.
My husband currently works 7 days a week(5 days to pay the bills…then on his 2 days off, he works at a gym as a trainer).
So often his days off from both jobs are for events, not for me to get a break!
Also I tried tagging you on facebook @heidipowell but because you are a page “i like” and not a friend then it wouldn’t highlight your name…i just left it as @heidipowell
I would love to win a spa day. I have raised 5 boys, 4 who are all grown now. I homeschooled them all through school… still have one in high school. I would love to win a spa day. Now that I have more time, I do take more time for myself and focusing on my health. I have never had money for a spa day though and would love to experience that.
Well, this has been a week for me and my kiddos for sure and I could totally use some R&R! On Monday I woke up with a fever and silly me thought I would let it “burn off” whatever virus I must have gotten…until it reached 103! To the Tylenol I went and that helped bring it down. On Tuesday I woke up and fed my son his first bottle of the day and when he was done I noticed hives beginning to appear on his thighs and forearms!! He hadn’t eaten his breakfast yet (he’s 9 months) and has been on the same formula for three months, so I assumed it was not a food allergy reaction and got him in first thing with the doctor. Turned out he had a viral infection! By Thursday of this week (after 4 days of fever and congestion), I went to urgent care myself and was beginning to get an ear infection, so they gave me antibiotics and a steroid to knock it out! This morning was my son’s 9-mo well visit and low and behold, on top of his viral infection (rash is still coming and going all day every day), he also has a really bad ear infection and 4 teeth popping through!!! Poor guy is a mess. 🙁 I am just so grateful that so far my husband and my 2.5-year-old daughter have not also gotten it.(
I’m sure that my story is a lot like many mother moms with several little children, so I know that I am no more worthy of your giveaway than anyone else, but I thought I would enter anyway. My husband and I love to watch Extreme Weight Loss and are always hoping that one day we will run into you guys somewhere around the Valley and be able to tell you in person how much we respect you guys and love what you do! I hope I can one day be as fit as you are when we are done having children (we also want 2 more)!!
I could so use a day! I’m full time mama to 3 beautiful babies…4,2, and 4months. My husband is active duty USMC and due to his schedule it’s hard for me to have any alone time and get a mental break. My birthday is May 13, right after mothers day (I was actually born on mothers day back in 1984) and I couldn’t think of a better gift than an hour to myself 🙂
Heidi,
Thank you so much for being such a role model and inspiration in my life. I watch you and Chris every season and cry with the people you train. I am a mother of 6 beautiful children, my oldest just joined the Marines last June. I have three boys and three girls and needless to say I don’t take much time for myself as I am pulled in every other direction possible. To have a spa day would be heaven! I’ve spent almost 20 years carrying baby weight from my first son and have struggled every day to lose it. Thank you again.
Laura
I don’t even know where to begin. I’m a 100% single mother (meaning he is out of the picture) of 3 beautiful little girls ages 4, 2 1/2, and 1 1/2… I work very hard on providing a small 2 bedroom apartment for us, to make sure my kids have a great education at a private school, to feed them the best diet possible and to fill the role of both mother and father. I also have to spend twice a week selling my plasma to supplement a small amount of my income. Between getting up at 5 am, dressing them, feeding them and transporting them and then doing it all again after 5 pm and barely having time to shower before I go to bed …i am exhausted but it is 100% worth it. Their father never got me anything for mothers day all the years we were married….I could use a chance to get rid of the extreme amount of tension in my neck and shoulders! I really love you guys!