SELF CARE LIFESTY

BY RASHIDA THOMPSON

As moms, we share the common experience of navigating the mental & emotional load of caring for our children Not only that, we encounter numerous challenges that make it much harder to commit or even think about self-care

I’m sure you ’ ve heard or been told many times over that self-care is essential for you as a single mom. So my intention here is not to tell you something that you already know

What I am here to do is to help you understand the very real & long-lasting benefits of regular self-care as a single mom, the costs of neglecting your needs and to give you practical & realistic tips on how you can create a self-care lifestyle that adapts to you & your needs

The Benefits of Practicing Regular Self-Care

Self-care is one of the best ways to ensure you are showing up every day as a woman & mother with a full cup.

As a single mom, it can be way too easy to focus solely on the needs of your children and neglect yourself

However, it’s critical that you start taking time for yourself because it can have numerous benefits for both you and your children.

Improved mental health is one of the most significant benefits of self-care Motherhood is hard & it takes a huge toll on you mentally & emotionally By practicing self-care, you can better manage depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges that may arise from the responsibilities of motherhood.

Prioritizing self-care can also help to reduce stress, which is critical for maintaining overall health and well-being Chronic stress can lead to declining health sooner than later Having a consistent routine in place can relieve the effects of daily stressors

When you take care of yourself, you become better equipped to take care of others, including your children. This is why there should be no shame in putting yourself first Self-care isn’t selfish It’s self-preservation & necessary for you to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives for yourself and your families

The Costs of Neglecting Your Needs

We talked about the benefits. Now let’s examine some costs of neglecting yourself One of the most significan consequences is mom burnout, which can lead to phys emotional, and mental exhaustion, making it difficult to manage even the simplest of tasks

Additionally, going too long without self-care can lead resentment towards your children or loved ones. As mu you love them, when you constantly put others' needs your own, you may begin to feel taken for granted or unappreciated

These negative emotions can strain relationships and m difficult to parent effectively. As an additional consequ these feelings may lead to feelings of guilt & shame, fu affecting your emotional health.

Creating A Self-Care Lifestyle

Self-care should be sustainable, otherwise, there is no Yes, you can get tremendous value from one-off practic in order to reap the long-term benefits, self-care needs regular practice. A sustainable practice that doesn’t fee forced or hard. A lifestyle.

Creating this lifestyle requires a mindset shift that take account the roadblocks in your motherhood journey