Mom spends her day nurturing the kids, the home, job. But what about Mom? Ladies, if we don’t do it, nobody else will, and you know it’s true. No guilt allowed here. You know as well as I do that taking time to recharge your batteries makes you a nicer person to be around. When Mom gets depleted, you have nothing left to give, and resentment creeps in. None of that now. The nicer we are to ourselves, the nicer we are to others. And it doesn’t have to take all day.

I know you’re busy, Mom, but you’ll be amazed how easy it is to squeeze in some self-renewal when you use these two organizing tricks: using small chunks of time, and multi-tasking. Take it from me, they work. I have used every one of these ideas myself. Haven’t you noticed how Mom’s mood sets the tone of the whole home? When Mama is happy, everybody else can be happy too.

Easy Ways to Take Care of Your Body

Drink your water, at least eight glasses a day.

Here’s why: Once you get dehydrated (if you’re thirsty, you’re already there) your mind is less alert and you lack energy and stamina. Headaches can often be alleviated by drinking a quart of water and lying down for a while.

Here's how:

• Buy a case of bottled water. Stash some in your car and some at your desk. Always keep one open in both places to sip.

• Place a glass by the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Each time you use those rooms, drink up.

• Place a cup of water on your night stand at bedtime, and guzzle it down first thing in the morning to start the day off right.

Move.

Here’s why:

Exercise gives back more than you give it – more energy, less appetite, a slimmer you, anti-depressant hormones, and exercise is even an aphrodisiac!

Here's how:

• Park at the far end of the lot at work and on errands. Five minutes of walking time each way adds up to fifty minutes a week. If you have kids, walking is good for them too, even when they groan about it. Tell them thanks to you, they won’t be joining the obesity epidemic in our country. Babies? Pushing them in the cart gives your workout a boost.

• Multi-task. Turn on the treadmill while watching your favorite show, or reading a great novel. If you’re already relaxed in front of the tube, do three minutes of crunches during commercial breaks. I like to do leg lifts during my morning scripture study.

• Take a brisk walk during half your lunch break.

• At the office walk around and stretch every hour.

Keep your Mind Alive

Read.

Here’s why: uplifting books or magazines can help you relax, escape from pressure, enlarge your mind, and lift your spirit.

Here's how:

• Listen to uplifting books on tape while you clean, cook, fold laundry, or commute. Get an inexpensive CD player and set it in a corner of the kitchen.

• Place a book or magazine by the toilet. A few minutes are better than nothing.

Get some quiet time.

Here’s why:

The constant chaos of motherhood can be draining, but a few moments alone does wonders to help you re-energize and regroup.

Here's how:

• Use your kids’ nap time to recharge yourself. Don’t waste it puttering around the house. You can do housework with little ones under foot, but it’s hard to read, write, take a bubble bath, or create something you’ve been dreaming of when you have constant interruptions. Take the phone off the hook, and don’t answer the door. (My husband has a code–if he calls me twice in a row during my quiet time, I answer it because I always like talking to him.)

• Get the kids to sleep at a decent hour. If they fight you, stickers on a calendar with a weekend trip for ice cream will do wonders. They’ll be more cheerful from being rested, and you’ll be more cheerful from having a nice chunk of time every night to spend however you want.

• Give yourself a weekly day off. Do the minimum amount to feed and dress the kids, and pick up the house, and then do whatever you feel like the rest of the day. If you feel like mopping the floor, go ahead and mop. If you feel like snuggling up with a good book or a sappy film, do it guilt-free. If you feel like meeting an old friend at McDonald’s play land for lunch with the kids, go for it. If you can’t afford this once a week, at least designate one evening a month where you are off duty and free to frolic.

Nurture a Friendship

Reconnect with a favorite friend.

Here’s why: Friends make life richer. A heart to heart talk with a trusted friend can make everything better.

Here's how:

• Arrange to meet for lunch once a month, or even once a year.

• Meet once a month for an evening of scrapbooking or another hobby.

• Start a weekly playgroup meeting at a park. During winter months meet at a variety of local children’s museums or matinee movies.

Connect with Family Members Play and laugh together.

Here’s why: When you think of your childhood, do you wish your mother would have spent more time cleaning the house, or spent more time playing with you? You’ll be amazed how much playing with your kids is fulfilling to you.

Here's how:

• Get down on the floor and watch your little runs run to climb on you. Jump on the trampoline together. Laughter is nurturing for everybody involved.

• Dance in the kitchen while doing the dishes –with your husband, the kids, or both. Let your hair down and laugh.

• Take a mini-vacation. With kids, long family vacations are for the kids, and Mom comes home more tired than you left. I’m talking about a one night trip (stress-free packing) to a local hotel (no travel hassles), eating out and enjoying the pool and each other. This is fun to do as a couple, a family, or even alone!

• Stop what you’re doing and snuggle with the love of your life. Greet him with a bear hug and a long kiss when you meet at the end of the day. At bedtime turn off the TV, hold each other in bed, and just enjoy the togetherness.

• Ask your husband for a foot rub or back rub. If he isn’t willing, treat yourself to a professional one once in a while. If he is willing, reward him with his own kind of nurturing, and you know what I’m talking about!

• Start a weekly date night with your husband. Hire your favorite babysitter to come over every Friday so you’re committed. Or, trade babysitting with another couple and go twice a month. It’s never too late to nurture your marriage and rekindle the romance.

Don’t forget to Nurture your Spirit

Write in a gratitude journal.

Here’s why:

Whatever you think about will come about. Focusing on the good in your life lifts your spirit and makes you notice more things to be grateful for. This one thing can transform you into a glass-half-full person.

Here's how:

• Buy yourself a pretty notebook or journal to keep on your night stand. Each night as you get into bed, write five things you’re grateful for that day. Little or big, current or past, it all works to lift your spirit and make you feel good.

Listen to some uplifting music every day.

Here’s why:

Classical and other good music can lift the spirit, increase mental alertness and memory, and can even help your kids get along better. Who wouldn’t want that? And it’s easier for Mama to be happy when the kids are getting along.

Here's how:

• Play inspiring music while washing dishes or doing laundry. Insert a classical CD into the CD Rom drive when you work at the computer. Set a classical music station during the evening hours to set a calm mood in the home.

Nurture your relationship with a Higher Power.

Here’s why:

Studies show people believing in a higher power generally lead happier, healthier lives and have stronger marriages and families.

Here's how:

• Say a prayer...anywhere. When I think of something to pray about I don’t want to wait until the next chance to kneel at my bedside. I have some of my favorite conversations with God in my car, without the distractions of the phone or doorbell.

• Study scriptures while eating breakfast, or during a lunch break at work. Jot your favorite quotes from scripture and other inspiring sources in the front flap of your Bible. That way on too-busy days you can still get inspired by glancing at a couple favorites.

• Try a bedtime family devotional. Here’s how our family does it. First one person picks a favorite spiritual song, one says a family prayer, and we take turns reading a few verses of scripture. It’s a great bonding time, a peaceful way to wind down the day, and an easy means to pass your values onto your children. To construct a habit, give stickers on a calendar for each day you hold family devotional, and offer a fun family outing at the end of the month for a job well done. Then watch the difference you notice in yourself and in your family. This has been one of the most gratifying traditions we have ever established.

Alright Mom, by now you are convinced it’s a good idea to squeeze in time to nurture yourself. Just remember our two tricks--using small chunks of time, and multi-tasking. Now do it without guilt, and squeeze in a little bit every day. Not only will Mama be happier, the rest of the family will be happier too.