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
Thank you Heidi for being so inspiring! I would LOVE a day of relaxation. I am a full-time, stay home mom to my 21 month old son AND 20 weeks pregnant with two twin boys. I gave up my dream to be an RN and declined MY acceptance letter to school so I can stay home and raise our children until school age. So I use my love for health, fitness, and helping others now by working as a part-time Personal Trainer. I absolutely love helping others to feel their best, and it allows me to make my own schedule so I can still be home with my son. Due to a twin pregnancy, I’m having to take some time off from training. I know life is going to get a bit extreme for me soon, so I would love a day off for just ME. My husband is a small business owner and works long hours 6 days a week to support our family, so that makes it even harder on me to get a minute to myself. I am looking forward to my 3 boys, and am so in love with motherhood! There is nothing greater in the world! 😉
Wow this is so amazing that you are blessing someone with this experience Heidi! With the question of why I feel I deserve this is so hard because I feel every mom deserves something like this. I became a mom 2 1/2 years ago and welcomes my son mayson into this world. He was born at 37 weeks due to me havin preeclampsia and toxemia. He was a healthy baby boy but I had emergency c section due to this experience. I am now a mom of 2 boys! In April of 2014 we welcomed our other son Brody. I work full time, have a part time job and I am a mom full time to two amazing boys! I wouldn’t change my life for the world! My family is everything to me! My babies are worth every stretch mark and everything I have been thru. You are an inspiring mom Heidi to see how you maintain your family as well as work! Thank you for this opportunity!
I couldn’t tag you either…my baby love story is pretty lengthy but it will try to stay short and sweet. I am 29 and my husband and I were houseparents for therapeutic foster kids. I have been a mom of about 32 different teens and children and during that time I lost my own baby in a miscarriage. I was very upset but I am a woman of faith and I knew God would not let me down. I wasn’t supposed to be able to have kids let alone twins but one amazing day I found out I was pregnant and it was with twins!!!! I have two beautiful twin boys that take up my days
and I love them more than anything. I hate leaving them even if it’s for a few hours but I know I need to take care of myself as well. They are a special gift and I cherish every moment I spend with them. Thank you for being so kind and giving. You and Chris are such an inspiration and my husband and I love watching you inspire and coach people to their full potential. God bless you and your family!!
You have a lot of reading to do with all these wonderful stories! First of I LOVE being a mommy. I’m pretty sure it’s why God put me on this earth. I’m a happy mommy of 4 just like you 2 and 2. I’m 30 and have a 11,6,4,and 3 month old. I also take on other kids during the day. I’m a stay at home mom 24/7 I don’t get out much lol I prolly won’t win I don’t have a great story but that’s ok just being able to say how much I love my babies is all I need:-) I would love a spa day would be a great time since I don’t get out much. Love your column also it’s realky encouraging to read:-)
This is beautiful!! As a professor of Occupational Therapy we teach the meaning of Life Balance to our students and clients. Taking time out for ourselves is so important and always seems to be the last thing we as women do. As our different roles pull us in a million directions we are challenged to try to keep it all in balance.
Why I would love the pampering? Last September I battled 2 different types of Cancer and needed extensive surgery to remove everything, along with 19 lymph nodes. 2 months after the surgery I developed an infection due to the accumulation of the lymphatic fluid thus I needed 2 abdominal drains. I was on oral antibiotics for 6 months and IV for 2 months!!. March 2015 I finally came off of everything and I am just now really getting back into the swing of living life again. I am back at work teaching, eating healthy (most of the time), and well… getting exercise in has been tough…..I try but I still get really sore. One thing I have learned through my journey this year, taking time out to take care of ourselves is essential for our personal health but it is also important for the health of the ones around us. Our kids learn by example, they watch what we do and they do the same thing because we have shown them that this behavior is okay. In order to be a good role model I must lead by example, this includes having R & R time for myself but also encouraging them to have R & R time. I would love to continue to be an example to my children and show them what mom is like after an awesome massage 🙂
I am a mother 3 beautiful daughters. I am slowly but surely trying to adjust to the daily non stop lives with activities, homework & daily girl drama. I am trying so hard to first & foremost teach my daughters to always be there for each other. I want them to appreciate the sisterhood & realize that the best gift they could ever have is each other. I can use the spa day as a way to recharge & keep going!!!
I would love to win the spa gift certificate but not for myself. My mother in law has had so much pain in the past few years loosing her mother two siblings and the love of her life. She has NEVER taken a day for her self and does for everyone even if she doesn’t have it to give. She would never think of going to a spa for herself and she deserves it more than words can explain. Thanks for being such a great inspiration to us mommys Heidi !
I would love to have a spa day. I have lost my brother and mother last year. And I am adopting two children. That was needing a home. At there young ages 5 and 7 this year. has been through a lot. I have found out in the year and a half that I have them a lot of medical problems for each.
While I don’t think I’m any more deserving than any other mother out there…I sure would love a little “me” time! I am a mother of 3…2 girls 5 &3 and a little boy 5 months. We are a military family and currently living across the country from my loving and supportive family. Holidays and everyday living has looked very different for us this past year! I’ve been working hard for the past 4 months to get myself back to my pre-pregnancy self. With children in tow I head to the gym 5 days a week and usually get a good run in on the weekend! Cooking and nutrition is a passion of mine, which I think benefits my family! My husband has dreams and goals too (outside of his career) and I support him as he trains for an iron-man! With all we do…I think we do a great job mantaining happy and healthy kiddos…I think we are pretty good role models as well 🙂 my oldest daughter just ran in her first race last weekend and she loved it!!! I would appreciate a good pampering!
A “me” day would be an amazing surprise. I have three boys (ages 9,11, and 12) so my house is never quiet. I am the only girl here, which is quite fine. I come with my own set of bodyguards 😉 My middle son is actually my step-son and is special needs. I am in the stressful process of trying to adopt him. To say my life is busy would be an understatement. I work as a substitute teacher, run a booster club for a special needs sports league, help with Special Olympics, Captain for Team in Training, as well as run a 501(c) out of our home, and am in the process of fundraising enough to surprise my husband with a cancer grant in memory of my late father-in-law who passed last year.
His father passed in July. I started working on the grant in Oct, then my own father passed from cancer complications in January. Top it all off, my husband is a police officer who works for two different departments. This year with the commotion in Ferguson and Baltimore has been one of our most stressful years.
I am very blessed to have a husband who works out with me at night after working 12 hour days. It is “our time” together to allow the endorphins release the stress of the day.
Good luck to all of the other deserving moms out there as well. Being a mom is a full time job by itself, but I don’t know anyone who would trade their children.