Busy, busy, busy is what comes to mind when you think about mothers. Your mind never stops moving and there is always something you feel you should be doing. At the end of a long hard day, you feel proud of yourself. And you have good reason to be.

As a mom, you may not have the same sense of satisfaction when taking some times for yourself. That is a bad thing. Being a mother does not have to take up your entire being. Do not make things hard on yourself. Take a break every once in a while, and, most importantly, relax. You do have time to take care of yourself.

These are the best ways you can de-stress and be a better mother.

1.      Find a good book to read

Reading is considered one of the best ways to relax, making the brain automatically dream. Indulging in a good book can slow down the heart rate and even ease the tension in your muscles. This is what researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered. Reading for a couple of minutes per day can significantly reduce stress.

All you must do is find a good book that will take you away from the stresses of life. In this age of global Internet communities, it is not impossible. Goodreads, for instance, offers great book recommendations and it will surely help you find the book you love. Sign up, read the reviews, and see the scores.

Examples of books that you will want to include on your list are In a House of Lies by Ian Rankin, Never Greener by Ruth Jones, and The President Is Missing by former president Bill Clinton.    

2.      Netflix and chill

If you have been avoiding Netflix until now, do not do it anymore. There are more than 200 channels you can watch, granted you have time on your hands. Watching Netflix is perfect when you are looking forward to relaxing. Chances are that you will fall asleep watching TV. Turn all the lights off, cuddle yourself up in a big blanket, and watch episodes of something truly interesting.

There are many shows you can watch when you need to unwind. Take Planet Earth, for instance. This series, which is produced by BBC Natural History Unit, provides the most extraordinary documentary experience ever. From nature documentaries to more political ones, there are many to choose from.

The fact of the matter is that Netflix offers numerous shows which are friendly, with no jump scares or sinister undertones. Needless to say, they are the most soothing shows you will have the chance to see.

3.      Book yourself a spa day

A mom deserves all the pampering in the world. Not only does she raise her kids, but also manage the household. Being a mother is hard work, which is the reason why you should take a few minutes to yourself. Going to a spa and indulging in some treatments is what you need to do. It will do you a world of good. Work in as much me time as you can. A spa and retreat is the best choice if you are interested in making healthy changes and require support.

An all-inclusive spa will offer packages that include accommodation, psychotherapy, mindfulness, massage, and yoga. Playing several roles each day can take its toll. Regardless of how strong you are, you may fall to the ground. This is why it is so important to invest in rest and relaxation. Book a day at the spa. Forget about household chores and be confident that the kids will do fine without you for a couple of hours.  

4.      Get back into an old hobby

Sometimes, it is necessary to make sacrifices to get the things you want in life. Instead of focusing on your hobby, you prefer to give your all when it comes to your children and career. It is worth it only if it makes you happier. If not, you need to find a way to include the hobby in your busy lifestyle. Pursue your interests just like before in spite of the lack of motivation.

Take up something you used to do on a regular basis yet quit because life got in the way. Maybe you used to run early in the morning. There is no better time than now to resume that activity. Run at least two days a week. So what if you have taken a long break? Nobody is judging you. After a while, you will learn how to keep yourself motivated and re-establish a regular routine. You will get satisfaction out of completing something you like.

5.      Spend time with your kids

Think about spending time with your children. You will be in a non-judgemental setting and that is relaxing enough. The little ones will help you unwind, not to mention that you can take advantage of this time to bond and come closer. Make plans that include relaxing and unwinding. If you simply want to rest and recharge, have a fun day at the swimming pool.