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
A spa day? …sounds mythical…and magical. lol. I am a mommy of two, wife, full time student, and carry a full time job (60-70 hours per week). Between work, school, soccer, gymnastics/tumbling, volleyball, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and the occasional breath, I would LOVE an opportunity to take time for me! I love being a mommy and it truly is a feeling like no other, but I think it also makes you susceptible to forgetting who you are and remembering that you are worth taking care of as well…..oops, the kids must sense I’m thinking about alone time (*screams from outside bathroom door*), mommy duty calls 😉
Hi Heidi! You are an inspiration!
I became a single mom four years ago when my husband chose to stay entangled in the web of alcoholism and abandoned his family. Since that time I have raised my son and daughter entirely on my own. In the past couple of years we lost our house, had a to live with another family for a year while we looked for a house of our own and most recently I lost my job and my car broke down.
Through it all I have treasured my children and have embraced being home with them while I have been off work.
I have now found another job which I will be starting in a week. I would love to be able to start that position relaxed and feeling my best.
R&R. What is that? Lol I do not remember what those are these days!! I do want to say that you and your husband are such caring and giving people! True inspirations , this world should have many more people like you guys! and you have such a beautiful family as well!
Well, I would love to win a spa day because I have never in my life had that & would love to try it out ^.^.. I rarely do anything for me if I have $ I usually buy my boys stuff they need or want. I’m a stay at home mom, I have 2 boys 6 (1st grader) & 5 (no school yet)….Thanks so much for this opportunity 🙂
Being a single mom to a 7 year old working a full time job and running to the various activities as well as being a volunteer EMT, I cant seem to find me time. I would gladly accept a spa day and would love to pay it forward to another mom that needs pampered.
I am a mom to two amazing kids ages 6 and 9. It has been a very rough year and a half for me and them. My husband left and is with another woman and her two children. I was a stay at home mom when that happened and have been working as server for the past year as well as subbing at my kids school so I am still able to be there for them before and after school. I work 6 days a week most weeks and while my ex takes the kids every other weekend and for a few hours here and there, they are with me every school night, I walk them to school every day, I coach my daughters soccer team, I do all I can to be with them as much as I can. With all of that being said and the fact that i could really use some rest. There is another person that I think could use it just as much or more…my friend Kelly lost her husband (he was 37) to cancer last May, 4 days before her twin girls turned 5 and just several days before mothers day. She is a second grade teacher and gives her all to her students and her girls. She is an amazing mom and person. While my divorce has been devastating for me and my kids, I still can’t imagine the death of a husband/father especially at such a young age. May will be such a bitter-sweet time for her and I know this would be a blessing for her. Thank you! Every mom deserves a day of R&R.
A spa day would be amazing for this mama! I am a wife, mother, fulltime employee and private piano teacher. Wearing all of these hats is a major blessing but can definitely make you tired 😉
Thank you Heidi, for the constant motivation to better our health! You have inspired me to change our eating habits even more and find time every day for exercise!
I’m not sure that I deserve this prize any more than anyone else but I am a mother. Like any mother I would do anything within my power for my kids. They are the best thing that ever happened to me. Sometimes I question myself & doubt myself but there is no doubt that I give it my all. Being a mom is the hardest job I have ever had. It is also the most rewarding.
Hi Heidi,
I can’t express how much I would love this! I am a mom to five gorgeous children, and work at their school. After school it’s cooking for 7 people and driving them to their after school activities, their after school jobs or out doing errands for the family. Life is always super full and super busy. But, I am also very blessed. I get up at 5:30 each day to hit the gym and workout super hard, and I’m grateful to be able to do that!
I think my comment got deleted somehow. 🙁 I’m a mama of two boys, 4 months & 22 months. I haven’t had a full nights sleep in months, but I’m loving every minute. My main focus has been on my family, not so much on myself, so I would love some pampering time to myself. Right now it’s a luxury to use the restroom with a closed door. 🙂
Also, I would love to see a new mom losing the baby weight on EWL – I’ve got plenty of weight to lose, but not 50% of my weight. 🙂