Is it possible to fully attend to the holiday gathering without the feeling of overwhelm and stress?

It certainly can be if you start putting self care for you and your child at the top of the list.  This may mean you have to say no to a few things over the next few weeks, but holidays only happen a few times a year.  This will be the only Thanksgiving and Christmas your child will be this exact age too!  Such precious moments and memories we are given to have and to hold.  No Mom wants to feel overwhelmed and exhausted by taking on too much.

If you are willing, do me the favor of grabbing your calendar right this second and putting in three time slots a day just for you or you and your sweet kiddos.  I know it is hard to do, but can you spare three 20-40 minute slots in each day from now until after the New Year?  Even if you have to start out with 15 minute slots.  Please just add them in.  

Maybe this means you will spend time after school with your kiddo, electronics out of mind.  Or maybe this means you will read to your child while they play in the tub and then enjoy a little play time after.  Could it be time to stretch and have hot cocoa after with a big kiddo?  There are so many things that come to mind and only you know what will work for you. 

Now that you have some breathe time in your schedule, lets go over a few more great ways to keep your mind focused on what matters, keep those shoulders from tensing up, and be sure you immunity is up for the gathering of smiles, laughter, and good ole germs.

• Stay hydrated.  Keep your kiddos hydrated too.  The air is dryer and there is illness going around the schools and day cares because the weather can be crazy this time of year (at least in Wisconsin it is!).  Think hydration being natural spring water, electrolyte water, coconut water, watermelon, cucumbers, fruit infused water... get creative.  Adding lemon or making fresh squeezed juices are also a great way to hydrate with the addition of much needed vitamin C.
• Stay on a sleep schedule.  You can splurge here or there, but your energy levels and immunity will be more elevated if you are on a good sleep schedule.
• When it comes to holiday gatherings, think before, during, and after natural wellness and immunity planning.  What can you do the week prior to boost your immunity?  What foods and drinks can you serve during to keep everyone's immunity balanced?  Last, what can you do for the week following the get together to keep your immunity elevated?  

I know that last one was a lot but here are some ideas...

-->  One week prior start having the recommended dose of elderberry syrup daily for two weeks.  Or you could drink organic herbal tea with immune boosting herbs such as lemon balm, elderberry, or hibiscus... just to name a few.
-->  For the holiday meals and snacks, you could think of adding more healthy and immune boosting herbs to your meals like rosemary, sage, garlic, onions, pepper, and turmeric.  You could make homemade pesto, hummus, a fruit or veggie platter, homemade soup, use herbal infused bone broth for your potatoes, soups, and dips, make homemade lemonade to sip on, or have sliced lemons and oranges served with herbal tea.  You can also do some healthy ingredient substitutions to prevent gluten and sugar overloads.
-->  For after the special gathering, you can continue with all of these tips and offer a bit more "ME" or "Me and Kiddo" down time than normal so you aren't always on the go and in a rush.  Plan ahead because it really will make things easier.  Remember, when our bodies feel nourished and well, our mind's ability to stay focused and balanced is also greater.  

Here are a few more tips -

• Use a hepa air filter in your home or in the place where family will be gathering.  You can also use a diffuser and use a child safe blend of anti viral and antibacterial essential oils to help keep the air cleaner.
• Take time for good ole epsom salt baths.  Add the recommended safe diluted blend of lavender and sunflower seed oil to the bath to help moisten little's skin.  If you all aren't up for baths, you can add a few drops of lavender to the side of the shower floor to steam the relaxing aroma while you shower.  Bathing gives us time to clear our minds and the warm steam moistens the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs to help keep the lining in tact to prevent microbes from harboring.
• Ask for help or simply say no.  If someone asks if you want them to bring a dish... take the offer with open arms.  On the flip side, if you are busy working 9-5 and care for your kids every hour around your work schedule, feel free to say no or simplify what you are bringing.  Even if that means you simply cut up fruit for a fruit tray instead of making your extra moist and delicious chocolate chip pumpkin muffins.  It is okay.  Your kind of busy Mom's will know just how busy you are, even if some friends or family don't understand.
• Apply essential oils made for a specific intent to your lotion over the next few weeks before your "me" time breaks.  Think of what your body needs that day.  Is it focus, relaxation, muscle tension relief, or grounding?  What do you need in that moment and what do you have on hand that you could use for essential oils or aromatherapy products that will help?  For example, one day you may want to add the safe diluted amount of Frankincense e.o. to your face and body lotion because you are feeling anxious and need to feel more grounded.  Or maybe you would like to feel less muscle tension and need to feel more relaxed, so you may choose to add the safe diluted amount of blue chamomile e.o. to your lotion on this day and apply it before your time to focus on your child's self care and Mommy and me time.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season and hope this helps you on a deeper level than just that of drinking a glass of water and going to bed at eight.  

Being a mom means having to have a healthy mindset, especially during holiday season.  Be kind to yourself.  Take time for yourself.  Set limits for the expectations others have of you and stay focused on your children so can truly enjoy and take in the moments.  Healthy and Well Wishes,  Jamie

Sometimes we get lost in the word mother or in the meaning of motherhood and try to follow one hundred too many rules.

Can you relate?  Ever try to go on a date night after having kids and feel guilty, run into someone and wonder what they will say about you letting loose, or wonder how many day spa appointments or or date nights is too much?

It seems we are more self conscious after becoming Mom's and sometimes that puts us in overdrive of trying to do everything right.  The problem with this is that we get run down.  Mom's simply need a break.  There are a few ways to change your perspective if you have caught yourself in this trap of feeling like you shouldn't "do" this or that.

Here are some tips to get "unstuck" from what others think and get into habits that are good for your soul!

1.  This is the most important and you have to start here.  GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION FOR "YOU" TIME, SELF CARE, AND SELF LOVE.

2.  Focus solely on what your own goals are and block out all other noise.  This may mean that you need to say "no" to certain occasions or others requests, but you need to stay in your lane and do what is best for you and your kiddos.  This helps you stay on track and prevents you from doing too much for others or at other's requests which takes away time for you and your kiddos.  Stay focused and do you!

3.  Reevaluate your time now that you have done step one and step two.  Every single day make time for yourself.  You care for others, you love to do this, therefore you need to care for yourself in order to continue to keep caring for others.  Mark time on your calendar.  When will you go sleep?  When will you stretch?  Will you allow yourself to go to a yoga class, swim class, go for a walk, get out and jog, ski, anything outdoors or that includes movement.  When will you meditate or get a massage?  Plan a date night, scenic day drive, or coffee morning!

4.  Now that you have allowed yourself time for nourishment, you are focused on what is most important to you to save time and energy, and you have it on the calendar... you will need energy and nourishment to feel good, motivated, and inspired to do those things.  I know how easy it is to make plans and then feel exhausted and not want to stick with the plan.  To prevent this, stay on your sleep schedule as much as possible.  Stay hydrated.  Eat well. 

Repeat again.... Three things I just mentioned.  Rest, Hydration, Healthy Eating.  These basics are so incredibly helpful to give you energy.

5.  Enjoy your "YOU" time.  It really is that simple.  There is no right or wrong when it comes to being a mom and what you will do with your "YOU" time.  You just do YOU.  Don't worry about what anyone else says.  Workout if you want to workout.  Take your kids skiing if you love to ski.  Go on three dates if you want to go out with your kiddos Daddy!  After all, a healthy relationship is the strength of the home for which everyone resides. 

Just because your a Mom doesn't mean you can't look beautiful, can't go take time for yourself, can't work on your own health and wellness, have to worry about what everyone else may say or think when you do something for you that doesn't involve scrubbing floors, wiping doopa's, and snuggling sweet kiddos.  Just do YOU busy Mom!