The past couple of months, and especially the past couple of weeks, I have been completely buried in work and barely know which end is up.

A few times during the year, I will take what I call a “mental health day.” This means that if I have to get kiddos off to school, I may go back to bed and sleep for a few more hours. Chores will wait for the day, and I usually try to get out of the house and do something for myself. I did a bit of that yesterday after shuffling Hannah off to school, but not nearly enough.

I attended Mother’s Group at my church, which I do enjoy, but I’m one of the few moms there that has older kids, and has emotionally “disturbed” kids. Our topic yesterday was on tantrums, and most of the moms there have kids under two. Their tantrums are slightly different than what I experience.

After that was a stop at Wal-Mart to get our various prescriptions filled. That’s a small chore in itself. Then I did get a manicure – YAY me! Then several more errands getting Hannah’s leotard and tights for ballet class that she starts next week, a few things to finish off her birthday next week, grab a few groceries, etc. You get the idea.

It was nice in not having an extra set of legs to keep up with, but it’s not the same as my mental health day. Today I will put 300 miles on my car to take the kids to their psychiatrist appointment. Not having a mental health day today either.

If you can’t fit in a full day, what are some things you can do to regroup?

Listen to some music – On the drive to pick up Sammy, I will be listening to the new CD I have “The Spirit of Adoption”. These are all songs about adoption by various people. I will post a review of it later. Listen to your favorite music, and turn the volume past 10 if you want.

Take yourself to lunch – Schedule a lunch date for yourself. Take a friend if you want, or enjoy the peace of dining by yourself if you like.

Get a spa treatment – I am a big fan of spa treatments, whether it’s a manicure, facial, seaweed wrap, or whatever you are comfortable with. This is heaven on earth for me.

Curl up with a book – The days are getting shorter and the weather will soon be turning cooler. Curl up with a good book and allow yourself to get lost for a little while.

Sleep – Cindy just wrote a great blog on the importance of sleep. We need sleep just as much as kids do. Go back to bed, or settle in for a nap during the day. You’re never too old to get some beauty sleep. Even guys need their beauty sleep.

Bible study or bible reading – Faith is an important part of my life, and some days just settling down with my bible can provide me with great peace.

Whatever it is you need, schedule the time for it. Take a whole mental health day if you can. It can really help.

More self care blogs

For information/instructions on how to subscribe FREE to your favorite AdoptionBlogs, please visit this link.

Photo credit