Investing time in yourself is one of the best things you can do for your own mental health, especially if you are a busy mom. If you have been able to carve out time for yourself in your daily activities, take advantage of that! Make those moments special … without going broke.

Objective: to relax

Spending money on going shopping, getting a massage or a facial is always pleasant, but many of us cannot afford this regularly. However, pampering yourself does not have to cost a mint.  

The objective of devoting time to yourself is to relax and forget your daily obligations and you can get those same results with simple but pleasant activities. No matter what activity you choose, try to focus on how relaxing it was or what a good time you had.  

Some ideas

These are some ideas to do something special for you. The important thing is to take the time to enjoy them:

• Take a walk in the park and relax with the sounds of nature. This is a simple but relaxing activity. If you have the opportunity to do so, sit next to a fountain or a stream, close your eyes and listen to the running water.

• Read a novel outdoors. Find a park bench or sit on a towel on the grass, on the beach, or any place where you may feel at ease. Read an adventure or romance novel that doesn’t require too much thinking, and just get lost in it.

• Go to the movies. Don’t stop yourself from watching that special film just because you have no-one to go with. Buy a bag of popcorn and a drink and enjoy the film. If you are home alone, rent a movie, get comfortable and open a bottle of wine to celebrate.  

• Meet up with a fun girl-friend to chat. Talk up a store with your friends. There is nothing better than laughing your troubles away with the people who love you.

• Get a pedicure. Pedicures are not too expensive (depending on where you live) and seeing your feet looking pretty is always a good thing. Pedicures with a foot massage are the best.

• Buy a pastry at the best pastry shop in town. Enjoy it with a cup of tea and make it the perfect laid-back snack.

• Sign up to a yoga class, learn to read the tarot cards, or anything else that you find unusual and fun. Besides learning something new, you will most likely meet interesting people.

Whatever you do, try to make the most of it and throw yourself into that activity. It will help you recharge and disconnect from your daily routine.