A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done. ~Author Unknown

Moms rarely, if ever, get time off.  If they do get “time off,” it often equates to five minutes here or ten minutes there.  With life rushing around them they can push themselves until they are exhausted which may only become apparent when there is nothing left. This can result in short tempers and frustration which only makes mothering more difficult.

As moms, we want to be the bhttp://www.drsearslean.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=1019est we can be and that begins with realizing we are important and need to take care of ourselves by eating right, exercising and taking time off once in a while. Here are some simple tips to make every day as special as Mothers’ Day.

1)  Take care of your emotional needs

Taking care of your own mental health is critically important, not just for you, but for your family.  There’s an old saying: “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”  It’s true.  If you don’t take care of your own needs, you won’t be a very good mother.  Your children need a happy mother who talks to them, comforts them, plays with them and teaches them.  These activities positively affect your relationship with your children. If you are feeling down or overwhelmed, you can’t give your children high-quality interactions.  Your relationship with your partner will suffer too.

Tell yourself everyday that what your children need most is a happy mother.  Then, find some time each day to do something that makes you feel good.  Coordinate childcare with a friend who has children similar ages, you get a few hours off one day while she watches your kids and another day you can watch her kids while she gets some time off.  Don’t spend this time doing things you have to do, spend it doing something you like to do –

* Pamper yourself with a manicure or pedicure

* Go for a walk outside while listening to your favorite music

* Take a long hot bubble bath

* Read a good book at a coffee shop over a delicious hot beverage

* Go out to lunch with a good friend

* Take a nap

2)  Nurture your relationships

Being a mom can be challenging, so it is important to surround yourself with loving friends and family members who understand and are supportive.  However, as moms we can be overly-sensitive to the opinions of others, so it is important to communicate clearly and maintain positive relationships.

* Create routine visits with those important people in your life.  Knowing that you have a routine in place can give you something to look forward to, while also assuring your friends and family members that they continue to be important to you.

* Be intentional about staying in touch with friends – especially those that see you as more than a mom or a caregiver.

* Schedule time away from home with friends – if it is on the calendar, you’ll be much more likely to follow through and actually get together.

* Go on a date with your partner – get out of the house and do something you enjoyed doing together before you had kids and make a pact that you won’t talk about the kids.

3)  Feed your body well

Just like a car needs gas, your body needs the right fuel to function at its best.  You would never put soda in your gas tank and expect it to run properly; the same is true for your body.  Your body was designed to run well on the proper fuel – whole foods, pure water and essential nutrients.  Eating high quality foods in several small meals during the day will not only give you more energy, they make you feel better and help you think more clearly.  Try to include the following foods to help you feel your best:

* Fresh whole fruits including the peel

* Fresh veggies, especially avocado

* Pure water

* Raw nuts and seeds

* Wild fish like Atlantic Salmon

* Omega-3 supplement that includes at least 600 mg of DHA

Treat yourself right. Make everyday Mother’s Day!