Photo from Sh’zen Website
2 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 3
Photo from Sh’zen Website
Visit our website: www.shzen.co.za
4 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photos by Canva
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 5 Photo by Leeron Paulsen
Photo by Herbalife Cook Book
Photos by Canva
6 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
o ot Ph by
lif ba er H e C k oo o Bo k
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 7
Photo by Leeron Paulsen
Photo by Nadia Horn
Photo by Alia Booley
8 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photo by Sandy Hleis
Photo by Jade Barends
Photo by Lee-Yandra Paulsen
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 9 Photo by Canva
BY JADE BARENDS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW—Before
Considering the oldest form of health care is
scheduling a massage make sure your
massage, it is only natural to opt for one.
masseur is a trained therapist to avoid
Since ancient times, humans have used
possible injuries. For those getting a fullbody massage for the first time, side effects may arise. You may experience temporary
herbs and nutrition to help heal their bodies, and massage is one method that can help
discomfort, minor bruising or swelling, and
circulation, recovery, and muscle
even allergic reactions to the massage oil.
development.
You should discuss the procedure beforehand with your therapist to avoid these. If you bruise easily, inform them to adjust the treatment for you.
Let's look at some benefits of massage you might not know, so you can convince yourself to spend a little extra time at the spa.
There are many reasons why people enjoy receiving a massage - but you might not realize that it has many other benefits.
10 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
BENEFITS OF A BODY MASSAGE It helps you sleep better. There's a good reason you doze off on a massage table. Stress and pain are eliminated because of a relaxing massage, leaving
Photo by Photo by Canva Too much time sitting can negatively affect our posture. Combining time at the office with time on the sofa ensures a dangerously sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, by improving circulation, massage even helps with posture.
Massage is detoxifying. It can remove toxins that
you in a relaxed state and ready for sleep. Stress and
accumulated in the lymph
general discomfort can
nodes over time and clear
otherwise keep you awake, so massage helps you drift off faster. Aside from alleviating stress
MASSAGE MAKES YOU HAPPY Nothing makes me happier
and pain, a massage can
than having a massage
help with premenstrual
that eases tension and
syndrome in women and
refreshes my body and
improve a person’s
mind. A relaxing massage might
It is most beneficial for
have you smiling, but it is
moms with a desk job to
more beneficial than you
schedule regular massages
might expect to boost your
effects of sitting. We don't
Massage can make you looking beautiful. Even if you don't feel pretty at the end of a massage, know a massage can help you look radiant. Cellular turnover and
digestive system.
to counterbalance the
out the lymph nodes.
happiness.
do our bodies any good by
Often, massage therapy is
spending hours typing on a
included in therapeutic and
keyboard.
rehabilitation sessions to promote emotional wellbeing and physical fitness.
circulation improve with a massage, supporting the growth of new skin cells to give you a fresher and younger appearance. How could anyone resist getting a massage now with all these benefits?
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 11 Photo by Canva
Our Busy Lives and Healthy Food Choices by Elize Fisher
Given you’re a working mom means you are always mindful of the importance of eating healthy. You may ask yourself, "How am I supposed to fit the most suitable choices into my busy schedule when I'm exhausted and still I have to feed the family?". We know changing one’s lifestyle isn’t always easy. For instance, you can walk into a store with positive intentions but come out with bags full of unhealthy foods, especially if you're shopping when you're hungry. What about taking a trip to a fast-food chain and order fast-food to save yourself some time. Fortunately, there are many easy, quick, and healthy foods you can prepare at home. So, despite a busy lifestyle, you don’t have to eat fast food every day.
12 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Making healthy food choices requires planning and knowledge of what to do. Plan meals ahead of time and find recipes online. Many recipes can be ready in 30 minutes that requires fewer ingredients. Save time and make large amounts of food you can freeze for later use. Replace your family's favorite unhealthy foods with healthier alternatives. Choosing healthy foods becomes easier when you view mealtimes as a social experience. As a result, you no longer worry about rushing through it, making dinner an enjoyable experience. It’s always fun to talk over dinner with family. Talking will help you slow down your eating pace, and you'll teach healthy habits to your children.
Photo by Canva
Photos by Canva
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 13
14 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photo by Herbalife Cook Book
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 15
Photo by Herbalife Cook Book
16 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photo by Canva
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 17
Travel advisor Nadia Horn shares her life story. .
I was born and raised in the lovely Boland region of the Western Cape. I was inspired to travel by travel
Fun facts: I am an avid reader and collector of books-True crime, biographies, and travel. The swimming and snorkelling enthusiast, collecting stationery notebooks, pens, and seashells. I volunteered and worked part time at Paarl Tourism, Paarl Museum, and different travel agencies
documentaries and magazines since childhood. Celebrating 20 years in the travel and tourism industry I took a leap of faith and open Selena Travel in 2012. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I realized my writing skills and became a travel content writer for online magazines. I highlighted various attractions and businesses across South Africa. I am a humanitarian and involved in various social enhancement organizations. I believe that travel and tourism are an ideal platform to reach out to others. It also brings me great joy to uplift and assist those in need. To me, giving back encompasses many things such as time, skills, knowledge, and experience. Photo by Canva
My motto is People first. I support small
18 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
businesses, and local entrepreneurs within South Africa and abroad. This way we play our part in job creation, job sustainability, and growing communities. Our support of small businesses not only supports one person, but their families, too. What attracts people to travel? Adventure, learning about new cultures, gastronomy, and relaxation. What can I bring to the table?- Knowledge, expertise, and first-hand experience on familyfriendly destinations, travel tips for kid-friendly tourist attractions, taking the headache away from mom's packing suggestions, visa guidance and travel insurance, 24/7 availability in an emergency and so much more! My travels took me throughout South Africa. I travelled to Malawi, Tanzania, the Indian Ocean Islands, Turkey, Dubai, India, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Paris, Spain, and Italy, to name a few. There is so much to discover in South Africa though, from natural rock pools to mineral springs, untouched beaches to game reserves, mountains, diverse fauna and flora, wine, gastronomy to culture, and many warm and friendly people. If there are any specific topics of travel which you would like to see covered, you are welcome to
Nadia Horn
provide suggestions? Join me on the online
Website:
journey for the next six months. Namaste.
www.selenatravel.co.za
Photo by Elize Fisher
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 19
Photo by Canva
TRAVELING WITH KIDS MADE EASY
•
When flying overnight, give the little one and yourself some nap time. It is quiet all night on most flights, which helps to get some sleep.
•
Allow the little one to run around in transit areas, especially at Changi Airport in Singapore, where there’s lots to see and do! Bonus: When the kiddos board the flight, they might enjoy a nap.
•
In-flight entertainment, games, movies, music keep children entertained for hours on end.
•
Don't forget the traditional card games and various board games. Make use of the tray table.
•
Bring a small backpack with a mini toiletry bag, a change of clothes, and a favorite teddy. Not only will it teach responsibility to the little ones, but it will carry valuable items for them too.
•
Always remember your favorite snacks, nuts, sweets, chips. No trip is ever complete without the aforementioned.
•
Depending on the airline, pre-book a child meal.
•
Prepare your kid/s for the travel by providing them with a copy of the itinerary on their phone and a printed version. Discuss the itinerary before the trip: Step by Step-Check-in procedure, immigration, boarding, the plane, destination, and tourist attractions.
•
Always Safety First: write their name and surname on the backpack, contact details of parents/guardians, and of the hotel they'll be staying at.
20 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photo by Keyosha Duarte
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 21
Photo by Keyosha Duarte
Photo by Keyosha Duarte
22 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Lorem Ipsum dolor sit
Photo by Canva
I am Sandy Hleis, founder of Redefining Motherhood–a life coaching business that
I couldn't complete basic tasks. I felt dizzy and
helps mothers overcome anxiety and
nauseous and would fall asleep at random times
discover a new version of themselves
throughout the day. We’ve experienced
through motherhood. My journey in life
breakdowns and tension in our marriage, and
coaching began early last year after doing a
I’ve lost my sense of self. I realized the
program on anxiety and strategies to
importance of overcoming these issues and I
overcome the physical and mental effects.
needed help.
As a new mother of two, I struggled when I had my daughter in 2018, and I believe it was normal and expected of me to do all. I would not sleep, out of fear that something bad might happen to me, which would cause leaving behind my daughter. This became a constant and excessive worry because I suffered from an unhealthy form of separation anxiety.
To accept that I needed help wasn’t easy because I usually did things on my own and not rely on anyone. As mentioned before, I did a program to overcome my anxiety, but I didn't believe it could work for me. I had anxiety for more than a year. I allowed my negative emotions to control me. However, I saw and felt a drastic change within the first two weeks of starting the program. I began changing my thought process, releasing
Photo by Canva
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 23
negative thoughts and emotions. I encouraged myself to live in the present and enjoy every moment without the noise in my head. Before long, I had a positive outlook on life that came naturally. My close friends and relatives noticed the change in me, and my household seems calmer and positive. The techniques learned in the program have helped me to be in control of my thoughts and emotions. As a parent, I realized I set the tone of the household, so my level of calm must take priority. Facing difficult situations, I have a calmer response now. Looking back, I don't recognize the person I was one and a half years ago when I suffered from postpartum anxiety. I started my coaching business to help women overcome postpartum anxiety and their "mom guilt". I aim to help moms achieve their goals and fall in love with the new version of themselves after becoming a mom. The courses I offer are online and ideal to help moms from anywhere in the world. Wherever you are in the world, remember that you are not alone, and you've got this, mamma! Facebook Group: Redefining Motherhood
24 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photo by Canva
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 25 Photo by Canva
Lorem Ipsum dolor sit
DOES YOUR CAREER DEFINE YOUR
What I have found through my experience is
SUCCESS? —Are you asking: "how did I
that we need to do the inner spiritual work to
end up here"? Feeling stuck, miserable, and
find meaning, purpose, and success in the
exhausted trying to succeed and compete in
work that we do. For most of my adult life, I
an ever-changing, fast-paced, remote, work-
measured success by a career and financial
from-home or somewhere in-between a
stability. Moving from one job to the next,
corporate world? Are you searching for something more but you’re not sure? Are you searching for meaning and purpose in your career?
looking for something more, losing myself, as I only focused on the material gain. Financially, I was doing better, but I was spiritually drained, and exhausted; I looked
Many women I speak to want to be financially independent, give to their families and do the things they love in life. Most of them cannot achieve it. Why is that?
for something more. Despite hating my job, I persisted, telling myself that it would pay off one day. I worked longer hours, even on weekends,
26 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
never taking a break wanting recognition
Let's reflect on creating a vision for
for my dedication. I constantly tried to prove
your career, one aligned to your
my worth. When they told me I was not a
lifestyle and not the other way
top performer, meeting deadlines and
around.
working after hours was not enough, I could not help but felt like a failure. Does this resonate?
•
What do you value in life and work?
•
Are your values aligned with your current career?
Career success to me now means more than the job title or the role, but about
•
now do?
doing work that reflects who I am as a person. It's about the quality of my life,
•
where I can help my family financially and do more of the things I love and enjoy in life. I have learned that we need to do the
•
What new skills would you like to learn or develop in the future?
•
How much time would you like to spend with your family?
goals should align with who we are and not what others expect of us.
What do you love most about your current career?
inner work, reflect, and have a clear vision for our careers and personal lives. Our
Why do you do the work that you
Photo by Canva
•
What would you like to do with most of your time?
•
Is your current career aligned with your lifestyle?
WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022 27
Photo by Canva
Tips to help set up achievable career goals, hopefully, after some reflection, they will be aligned to your career vision and success as a person. •
Be intentional in taking control of your career - Define your "WHY" -Why do you need to make a change, and what drives you to make a career change?
•
Create a career plan - Achieving goals takes time, commitment, and dedication. Creating a career plan keeps us accountable, on track, and gives us a view of the smaller achievable goals needed to reach our end goal.
•
Find a mentor - Working with a mentor can be a powerful tool for your career growth. Mentors can give valuable advice when faced with hard work or personal issues.
•
Focus on your personal development - Setbacks are inevitable and often leave us feeling demotivated. Working with a coach or therapist can help us gain insight, clarity and provide the support to navigate the challenges of everyday life.
•
Join a network or community of like-minded individuals doing the work you aspire to do. “Success leaves clues.”
By implementing these tools and strategies, I have found more than just a fulfilling career, I found ME-a way of being.
“ When the vision is clear, the results will appear."
28 WORKING MAMA JANUARY 2022
Photo by Canva
