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 have a 6 month AMAZING boy names James. I never knew how much I would love having a child, although I always wanted to be a mum. I feel that this is the most amazing role I have ever been blessed to have. I love my son more than life itself. I also love how having a child has made my husband and I so much closer. While I was in labour and after delivery (and ever since) I couldn’t believe how amazing he was supporting me and making sure I, and my son were ok. I saw the look of love in his eyes while I was in labour and seein him as a dad has made me re-fall in love with him.
My husband and I just both lost our jobs due to the company we both worked for (17 and 14 years respectively) shut it’s doors with no warning. I am still on maternity leave and haven’t been brining in much income and now with no job security at the end of my leave, I’m nervous about having to job hunt and worried I won’t find a job with the same income. My husband has been applying for so many jobs and working so hard to find a job soon. Before we lost our jobs, I would feel so guilty going for pedicures or getting my hair done as I feel Id rather buy my son a new toy or some clothes. Now with no certainty in job security, there’s no way I will be spending anything on myself or will I be able to have ‘mummy’ time while my husband is out on interviews. It would be nice to win a massage or getting my nails done. Thank you for taking the time to read my comment. ?? You and Chris are really inspiring. Thank you for all you do.
I think this is AWESOME! anyone who gets it will be lucky! As for me? I would like a spa day! I have 3 kids full time (1.5, 3.5, and 7) and 1 (9) 6 days a week… oh and a man child (30) 🙂 I work 5-6 days a week, i clock in at 6am (even on saturday! this saturday is 11hours!! yikes!) after work i pick up the spare child, pick up my DD7 from a different school, then its FHE, gymnastics, scouts, business meetings, and prepping for primary lessons (i teach 5yr olds sundays), and i’m a student at the energetic health institute! Thankfully I’ve heard BEST is moving to weekends, so i can go again! 😀 To make it more fun here, spare9, and DD7 are both ADHD, and ODD, DS3.5 can’t talk yet, so its very loud with him trying to get his wants across, and, well, DD1.5 is just trying to run with the pack! The manchild is a full time student and assistant scoutmaster, so throw in weekend camping and fund raisers , and countless Dr. appointments (he is disabled) and i don’t think the fun ever stops! I’ve never been to a spa, so it could be fun, but even if I don’t go, I still win, because after all the chaos and crazy, the late nights, early mornings, and all the drama in between… when I can finally get them to their room for bed, DS 3.5 likes to say bedtime prayers (sort of, we can pick out a few words), DD7 loves stories and lullabies, and DD1.5 likes to sing for me. Guess thats what being a mom is all about huh? those little moments.
Heidi,
I would love to donate two of these. I wish I could give all those who comment on this a day of r&r. I am not a mother but I am a husband and father. I came from a wonderful mother who had ten of us and never once complained and never asked for a day alone.
I cherish motherhood. I know there is nothing in the world and in our existence more important than that life calling. I am asking for the r&r for my wife. This is why. We have four children ages 1, 6, 8 and 9. She has endured major post pardom depression after all four. She has had two late term miscarriages in the last two years. One before our last baby and one six months ago. Those come with depression that is tough to deal with of at all come out of. She grew up very active and always wanted to stay active. She gained 100lbs from all the pregnancies and depression. Last summer because of that she blew her knee out and had surgery which kept her incapacitated. Because of the depression she has taken everything personal. I try to tell her how much she has done and is appreciated. Our family would not function without her. She is one of the funniest people you can meet. Everyone she meets wants to be her friend. She can not see that. The reason why I think she deserves this is because there is so much a spouse can do. It is kind of like believing your mom telling you how great you are. What else is she going to say? But something like this coming from you gives her hope. Hope that she can get help. Even though it is not appearing on extreme weight loss. But it is that same hope you see on the show. I would hope that fire can be set that she can see what she is worth.
I’d love to recieve this goft. I’m a new first time mom of a almost 2 week old little girl. My husband and I tried for almost 2 yes to get pregnant, and ultimately had to go in fertility drugs and do insemination to get pregnant. I wouldn’t change any of it though, because we’ve now got our beautiful daughter! I will say the lack of sleep and stress of being a new mom is real along with crazy hormones has me crying at the drop of a hat. A little R&R would be greatly appreciated!!
I would love a little R&R. While I only have two kiddos, we are constantly on the go. They are 14 and 12 (13 in July) and it’s basically just me to get them everywhere they need to go. My husband travels for work and we see him once a week, twice if we are lucky. I work full time, go to college, they have all of their school activities and sports, and I manage to carve out an hour a few days out of the week for a workout. Every single day has something going on and I have never gotten to enjoy a spa day or really even a day to just relax and would love to.
Thank you for all that you do to help people!
Heidi! A spa day would be heaven sent! Last January I lost my father, so 2014 was stressful, to say the least. My family kept me going, putting my full attention to my then 5 year old son. I’m finally starting to WANT to take care of myself again. What a great way to begin the process. 🙂
I am a 33 year old mom of 2 little girls. I keep 2 other girls 2 days a week and clean houses to make ends meet. I single parent many days my husband does extra construction work so we can pay all our bills on time. Also,I have been studying for 9 months for my ACSM personal training certification. This is one reason I REALLY love following you on social media. I truly hope that I can start training part time next year when I have 1 in 1st grade and one in half day preschool so my husband and I aren’t so stressed with finance. I’m great at the healthy eating and working our but not so much on the at R&R. Thank you for doing this giveaway. Any mom will be honored and worthy.
Being the mama to three little boys is so fun, and exhausting! Between home schooling, soccer practices, watching two other little girls, and the business of life, I find myself feeling drained. A spa day would be completely amazing. Us moms have a difficult, yet super rewarding job!
I would love to win an spa day. It would be so amazing and so appreciated. I am the mom to an absolutely amazing 5 year old. I probably don’t deserve this gift over anyone else, as there are so many deserving women out there. But I would appreciate it more than you could ever imagine. I am currently going through infertility treatments as we would love to have a sibling for our son and another child in our family. I rarely do anything for myself as I feel like the treatments are my thing for me. I would love to have a day to not worry about anything else in the world.
Thank you for this amazing gift! Even if I don’t win, it is such an awesome thing for you to do.
I need this R & R time because I have 4 beautiful children all 5 and under. Our first one took us 4 yrs to get and so we didn’t wait in trying for our 2nd which only took 4 months, but then when she was 9 months old we were surprised to find out we were pregnant again with twins. So apparently my body fixed itself and knew how to make babies in a big way lol. Nathan is 5, Charlotte is 3 and she has autism (which has its own set of stresses), then Colin & Derek are 2. We love our children and have always wanted a big family, but just a little more spaced out! So needless to say I go crazy most days, but try to count my blessings as well. And now you know why when I met you guys at the Be Your Best class I had no makeup on…I don’t have time for that! Was just grateful my parents babysat that night so I could be there! 😉 thank you for thinking of us moms out there and offering us such a nice gift! Very sweet and giving of you guys! Thank you 🙂