24 Hours of Self Care

They say the key to wellbeing is finding balance in your life; work + play, adventure + repose- the Yin and Yang of our daily pursuits. Naturally, we try to foster this in our own lives, balancing office hours with walks outdoors, and housework with family time. However, if we're honest, sometimes you just need to go full 'Yang'. We're talking a day fully committed to you and the things that bring you joy. We've dreamt up our vision for a day of self care, all neatly packed into 24 hours. On your marks, get set, GO! 

7:00 am-Power Start

Popularly known as 'the most important meal of the day", breakfast is first on our list of ways to treat yourself right. Fuelling your mind and body with nutrient rich meal first thing in the morning is a great way to turbocharge your day and stave off mid-morning drowsiness. If you haven't jumped on the breakfast bandwagon, you'll be happy to know there is no shortage of inspiring recipes out there. And what's more, many take mere minutes to prep! We're big fans of make-ahead breakfast so that, come morning, all you need to do is hit the power button on the blender or dig into a bowl of cool overnight oats. We love this Healthy Breakfast Guide by Nutritionist and Mama, Joy McCarthy. 

9:00 am-Love Letter

When was the last time you wrote a love letter? The very idea may bring you back to your elementary school days, when you would scribe your affections in a precious note to be hand delivered to the one you admire. Well it's time to pull out the stationary and this time Mama-it's all about you! Sit down with a pen and a little notebook and spend 5 minutes contemplating your virtues. Trust us, it may seem foreign at first but you'll get the hang of it. Think about this letter as a way to honour yourself. You might write down a few reasons you love who you are, or perhaps an affirmation for the day. The key is to stay away from undeserving thoughts, and to shower yourself with the love and kindness you show countless others a day. 

12:00 pm- Stretch & Strengthen

The morning can be a hectic time of day; the kiddos are up and you've got to get them fed and dressed all while remembering to brush your teeth and hopefully leave the house with matching socks on your feet. That said, we know how hard it is to fit a 'home yoga practice' into your AM. Whether you're home with Baby or back at the office, a mid-day practice at Yoga Mamas studio is the perfect way to stretch and strengthen alongside your Mama tribe. No need to worry about bringing a mat or water bottle, all you need to do is get here and we'll guide you through a class that's sure to have you feeling grounded and strong! Check out the schedule for midday classes! 

3:00 pm- Coffee Date

Coffee or tea? One lump or two? Whatever your taste, an afternoon cup-of-comfort is best shared with a friend. We all have girlfriends we've been meaning to spend more time with, and realistically they're only a text or phone call away; so make a date! Chitchat at a local cafe or cozy up together on the couch at home. Catch up on family news and spill your true feelings about...well, anything! Time spent in good company is never wasted and is a beautiful way to care for your mental health. 

6:00 pm- Order In

Alright, it's 6pm. By now the family is probably reconvening at home. Although it's great to be together again, this can be a cranky time of day as partners unwind from their work, kids prefer video games to homework, Baby is getting sleepy, and oh yeah, EVERYONE is hungry! Give yourself a break order food in, and make sure it's from your favourite place. Take pleasure in the made-for-you meal, and feel zero guilt that you didn't prepare it. Once in awhile, take-out is exactly what everyone needs. You can make the meal extra delightful by spreading out a blanket for a living room "picnic"; the kids will love it!

8:00 pm-Rest & Relax

Babes are in bed-hooray! And better yet, your 24 hours of self-care aren't over yet. Bring special intention to these last hours before heading to bed. Maybe you'd like to resume a book, or talk with your partner while sharing a glass of pinot on the porch. However you define 'rest & relax', avoid using your phone {which, let's be honest, is often a mindless pastime no matter how entertaining}. Take deep breaths as you settle in for the night, and know that you deserve a little self-love every single day.