The Importance of ‘Me Time’

Looking after a baby can be exhausting work. It’s a fulltime job that requires you to be awake, alert and patient at pretty much all times. Your baby is amazing, beautiful and perfect, but he’s also probably demanding, frustrating and, dare you think it, selfish too. All your baby cares about are his own needs. He wants to be fed now, he wants his diaper changing now and he wants a cuddle this very minute. He doesn’t care that you’re in the shower or asleep (or both, if it’s been a particularly bad night).

It’s not uncommon to feel a little lost during your first year of motherhood. After all, when was the last time you got to do something just for you? You spend all of your time rushing around to make sure everyone else is ok and barely spare a second thought to your own well being.

Your well being is the most important

To take the best possible care of your baby, you need to take care of yourself first. It’s like on a plane how you have to fit your own oxygen mask first. If you can’t breathe, you won’t have the energy or ability to help your baby breathe. Not that your parenting is like a plane crash, but the same theory applies here. How can you look after another’s well being and health when your own stores are depleted?

‘Me time’ isn’t selfish, and it’s certainly not something you should feel guilty about. It plays an important role in allowing you to be the best parent you can be, so don’t be afraid to demand some time to yourself every now and again. Make sure that you and your partner are each able to enjoy some regular ‘me time’ to allow you to relax, recharge and regroup.

‘Me time’ inspiration

The great thing about ‘me time’ is that even a little bit will go a long way. You don’t need a week abroad by yourself to unwind (though, actually, that would be nice), even just an hour or so will do the trick. The key is to have a little patch of time that is all yours, free from interruptions and stress, to do with as you please. And no, the weekly shop doesn’t count. Neither does a trip to the dentist. You deserve some high quality ‘me time’.

Even something as simple as a bath (with the door locked, luxury!) all by yourself, with a good book and some relaxing music could leave you feeling loads better. If you can, treat yourself to a massage or beauty treatment at your favorite salon. Maybe a shopping trip would lighten your mood? Or signing up for an evening class to learn a new skill or throw yourself into a new hobby? Even just a short solitary walk after dinner could be enough to help you de-stress and prepare you for another day of parenting.

What are your go to ‘me time’ activities?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.