Guide to Fun Time Management for Working Mums

Often, our lives seem like a never-ending whirlwind of activity. With deadlines on the one hand, and Jimmy's football practice on the other, most women are caught in a perpetual motion machine of doing, going, and giving too much. Studies continue to show an unequal division of conjugal labour, a situation most of us understand only too readily. Working mums feel the dual burden of the pressure to be both "perfect mothers and wives" while justifying their commitment to their careers. Juggling multiple roles at home, work, and within the community, women are consummate caretakers, workers, volunteers, and friends. What we aren't so good at, however, is self-care. If you're finding it difficult to let go of the guilt and strike up a balance in your life, Online Coaching could be the answer for you.

As working mums, we tend to dismiss how significant it is to find time for ourselves. Caring for yourself is a necessity, not a privilege. The fallout of a constant go-go-go state of being can be dangerous as failing to make time for ourselves takes its toll, physically and mentally. Most women are quick to cut corners on three of the most critical elements of our health and well-being: diet and exercise, sleep and mental health. Yet, it's when we're facing a jam-packed schedule that it's most critical we take the steps necessary to balance out how much of ourselves we give away. Here are some ways to bring your energy back and create a balance between mind and body.

Follow your own advice! You make nutritious dinners ahead of time, add apples and carrot sticks to your child's lunch, and choose cholesterol-reduced recipes for Hubby's heart health. Yet, how many of us rely on fizzy drinks and chocolate bars for an energy boost while rushing through the daily grind? By heeding the nutritional advice you pass on to your family, you'll be stocking your body with all the essentials and setting an example for the wee ones. Pack-lunching it is both economical and ensures you'll be fuelling your mind and body with the proper nutrients it needs to get through the day. Keep a stash of healthy snacks like almonds in your office to keep your blood sugar stable and avoid late-night overeating. Set aside twenty minutes of your lunch for a brisk walk and make a point of stretching once an hour. The consequences of short bursts of exercise are more revitalizing and enduring than those of your preferred coffee flavours.

Lights out, Mum! Fatigue. It's probably the most oft-cited complaint of the working mothers I know. How many times have you skimped on sleep to meet a deadline or watch over a feverish child at 3am? Sleep deprivation causes irritability, diminished concentration, high blood pressure, and depression, so by building up a sleep debt, working mums are essentially hindering their ability to get things done. Before you hurt your productivity, try putting away your Blackberries and turning off your computer a couple of hours before you go to bed. Working late into the night not only leaves your brain over-stimulated, but it sets you up for a night of tossing and turning if you're preoccupied with tomorrow's to-do list.

Invest in Yourself. Achieving a work-life balance is one of the biggest challenges we face. When we neglect "me-time", we run the risk of losing ourselves and stifling our souls. So, ladies, it's time to lose the guilt and invest in you! Pencil in a monthly brunch or margarita with the girls, or hire a babysitter for an afternoon and indulge in a manicure or an extra hour of sleep. Set yourself free from controlling everything and admit to yourself that your carpets will never again be immaculate. Whether it's knitting, yoga, or a glass of wine with dinner, practise the strategies of relaxation that work best for you.

Rather than let the "shoulds" take charge of your time, recognise that self-care and reflection are essential to maintaining balance in our "'round the clock" lives. Scheduling some professional coaching can help you realise the benefits of "me-time" and show you how to fit it into your busy life without feeling bad about it. Because, as the infamous advert goes, you're worth it!

Article Source: http://www.myadspost.com

Amanda Alexander, Director of Coaching Mums, helps pressure-cooked, exhausted working mums who long for more hours in the day and space to think. Through professional coaching programmes and online coaching courses, Amanda helps mums to create a balanced, fulfilling life that works for them. For self-coaching tips tailored to working mums, sign up for Inspire, our free newsletter, at Coaching Mums

Related....

Videos...