Self-care tips for moms

Here are some quick tips for implementing self-care:

• Delegate and ask for help.
  It’s difficult to admit you may need help or can’t accomplish everything on your own. An old adage says that it takes a village to care for a family, and this could not be more true. Find your village and ask for help. Accept help when offered. This may result in a few extra prized moments to focus on yourself. Don’t be afraid to say no to commitments that don’t interest you or you don’t have time for.
• Stay organized.
  Keep a planner, calendar or list of upcoming appointments and tasks for yourself and family. Avoid stress from the unexpected, such as the school project that your child needs assistance to complete last minute. Prioritize tasks to prevent becoming overwhelmed. Start by completing the most time-consuming or less interesting tasks to get them out of the way first.
• Focus on basic healthy lifestyle habits.
  Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Try for some daily physical activity each day, with a goal of 150 minutes total a week. Eat a healthy diet consisting of lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid sugary beverages, alcohol and high-fat foods. Drink six to eight cups of water daily.
• Schedule your “me time.”
  Add a “date” with yourself to your calendar and protect it. For example, schedule a fitness class, lunch with a friend or coffee with a good book. Once the date is scheduled, try your best to keep it just as you would for any other appointment.