Making the Most of 'Me Time'

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A recent study showed that, on average, mothers get just 17 minutes of 'me time' every day! I think many parents will relate to that feeling of never having enough hours in the day and enough sleep at night! Parenting is amazing and exhilarating but along with the highs it can be all-consuming and exhausting! I've been a stay at home mum for two and a half years now. Recently, I have been doing some freelance work around the hours my toddler spends with his dad. That's given me a parenting 'break' and a bit of time to earn some money and use my creative skills again. Juggling work and childcare has its own challenges and whether you're a stay at home mum, a working mum or anything in between we all need a decent break and some 'me-time' on a regular basis. I think it's so important to get some time to ourselves, recharge our batteries, have a break and come back feeling energised or as energised as we can be! Relax with Ocean recently asked me how I relax. Here are some ways I spend my 'me-time'.

1. Exercise. Leave the chores (and baby) behind and go out and do some exercise. I think everyone knows the benefits of exercise! I love walking along the seaside, attending yoga classes and having a relaxing swim. Last week I went to three yoga classes (go me!) and felt so much better by the end of the week.

2. Socialising. I get out a lot with my little boy and we meet with other mums regularly but now he's a toddler any type of conversation is limited. Therefore, it's nice to get out and have an uninterrupted adult conversation with friends especially over lunch or dinner. I do admit, though, I probably end up talking about my little boy!

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3. Rediscovering Hobbies. I'm a bit guilty of letting this one slip as I am forever meaning to start painting again. I do paint with my toddler if that counts? Luckily blogging has incorporated many of my hobbies such as writing and photography so I feel like I'm being creative without necessarily trying to and that's one of the great benefits of having a blog. 

4. Massage/Spa days. Isn't the idea of a spa day so appealing once you're a mum? I haven't been to a spa in years although I have an image in my head of drinking champagne in a jacuzzi as some kind of heavenly image. I was fortunate to try out a lovely Shiatsu treatment with Jessica Drake at the Unity Studio in Brighton recently. Shiatsu uses 'finger-pressure' which is its Japanese translation, to contribute to overall wellbeing in the body, reduce tension and stress and help with relaxation. Jessica is an amazing practitioner and left me feeling relaxed within minutes of meeting her. She used pressure points on my body to enable a free flow of energy through-out. Although not a massage it was a very satisfying experience and I felt just as relaxed after this treatment as I would have done from a massage and would definitely recommend it.

5. Doing things I can't usually do with a buggy! I don't drive so walk everywhere with a buggy. Lugging around a heavy toddler, who's big for his age, isn't particular fun or kind on my back. When I don't have the buggy it does sometimes feel like I'm walking on air and I try to take advantage of things I can't usually do such as walk up escalators, walk up the steps and sit on the top deck of the bus, cross the road anywhere, try on clothes in shops and eat chocolate cake without sharing it! Aren't I wild? Yep, this is what my life has become! :)

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6. Reading. Last year I made a new years resolution to read more books but unfortunately I didn't keep it up (unless you include reading books to my toddler every day?). I do love being submerged in a good book though and am working on more ways to incorporate this into my daily routine. 

7. Meditation. This is a new one to me and something I am trying to do more of. In our modern age of internet, mobiles, wifi, etc it can be difficult to switch off, even more so when you're a blogger. So, as well as regular exercise I've been trying to incorporate some little meditation sessions for me to do at home. Meditation has many benefits including reducing anxiety and stress and tension-related pain, lowering high blood pressure and increasing creativity and happiness.

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8. Pampering. It's always nice to treat yourself to a pampering session such as a lovely relaxing bath, a hair cut, a manicure or facial. It can be difficult to find enough time to have a bath these days but I try to make the most of it with fragrant candles and some gorgeous smelling bubble bath.

9. Art gallery/Museum trips. I use to stroll around art galleries and museums for hours. Those days are gone but it's nice to visit exhibitions and be inspired by the art work in town or in London where you're spoilt for choice. 

10. Visiting somewhere new. I love being outdoors, exploring nature and sometimes it's nice to get away from everything and find somewhere new. For me that includes a walk out in the countryside, a day trip to London or going to a new cafe in town. 

How do you spend 'me-time'? I would love to hear what you get up to!

Please note: This is a sponsored post. All words and opinions are my own.