Relaxation Tips

Moms tell how they unwind and destress

Looking for ways to relax and unwind from your busy day? We turned to our message boards and asked nursing moms from around the world to offer their relaxating tips. From bubble baths, to grocery shopping, to taking a drive - here's how some moms find time for themselves:

I have a consistent bedtime for my kids, and after they are in a bed I like to take an hour or two to read, surf on the Internet or work on my scrapbooks. I also like to take a bath, and when I do, I tell my husband to pretend like I am not home (unless the baby is hungry). I enjoy this relaxing bath without having to worry about my children.

kimd4

As a single mom, the only time I have completely to myself is my commute to and from work. I do pump during that time, but because I use a hands on kit, I am still pretty relaxed.

I listen to "Books on Tape" and I listen to my favorite tapes (cheesy 80's music, heavy metal, classical...whatever I am in the mood for). It is also my best time to think through problems.

Once a month I have La Leche League and the baby and I go to that while my ex watches my older two kids. I usually go get a pop and a salad after my meeting (yes, at 9:30 pm...lol) and take a book with me. Josh sleeps through usually, and if he doesn't, I nurse him and read.

RubyPrincess

For me, as a breastfeeding mom, when things were noisy and cluttered and fussy at home, what de-stressed me was to get away from the house physically - so rather than take a bath, where I would still hear baby and daddy, TV, etc., I would nurse the baby, hand him to daddy, say "see you in an hour" and go grocery shopping at 1:00 in the morning! It is so quiet in the grocery store that time of night - I would just walk every aisle and revel in having my arms to myself - not that I didn't treasure the time with baby, but we all need our body to ourselves for an hour once in a while!

Also, I enjoy having my mother-in-law or hubby watch the baby just for an hour or so while I get my nails done. It is the one thing about my appearance (no time for makeup everyday, I cut my hair short when he was 3 months, and none of my fun clothes fit anymore!) that makes me feel somewhat feminine and pretty - to have lovely short painted nails! It is my luxury. Also, when baby was very little (don't laugh) I would go for a drive, since that put him to sleep, then get drive-thru fast food and cruise around until my food was gone. It was the only time I had hot food those first few weeks.

stevensmommy

I find exercise to be very helpful in reducing my feelings of stress and making me feel better about myself in general. Currently, I take two dance classes a week (both on the same night), jazz and tap, while my husband watches our son. And I always feel great when I get home!

Kristin

I personally like to take some "alone" time for myself each day, even if only for an hour. I am a stay-at-home mom and when my husband comes home each night, he takes over for a while. During that time, I enjoy taking a bath, reading or just losing myself in a good television show. I think the key to "destressing" is taking time for oneself to reflect and put things in perspective, especially after a hectic day.

Nancy71

Breastfeeding IS relaxation. You have to sit and relax to do it. All those lovely hormones as your milk lets down actually wash over me like a sedative. I'm not sure oxytocin has a sedating effect but it sure does with me. And definate early bedtimes for the children. This is not negotiable in our home and it is a routine that rarely varies. Because it is a predictable routine the children know not to constantly jump out of bed with "but I just gotta tell you something mom...." This is MY time (and my husband's) for us to recoup, relax and renew. With 7 kids it is a matter of saving my sanity some days.

9of9

The most quiet and reflective time I ever get is when I put all the girls in the van and go for a drive. The babies are content playing or watching out the window, and my oldest plays with her dolls or sings. Everyone is happy and tended to, and I get to drive and relax!

doublethefun

This will probably sound like common sense to experienced moms, but my baby was about 8 weeks old before I discovered this... I was having a hard time getting a shower every day, much less the 20 minute one I was accustomed to pre-baby. I don't know why it took me so long to figure out, but I finally brought her swing into the bathroom and turned on the radio - she loved the different noises and sensations and let me stay in the shower forever - I was a new woman!

And specifically for working moms - I use my (lengthy) commute to think about things I don't have time for during the rest of the day. I literally keep a list, which helps keep the stress down during the day and lets me get to sleep quickly at night.

Catwalk

Since I work very early hours, I'm there before they even turn the lights on. Every morning, when I get to work - I have a journal which I keep there - and I write in it almost everyday. It doesn't have to be long ... sometimes, just a couple of sentences, but it helps clear my mind and sort my thoughts.

On the weekends, my husband is very good about taking our 2-year-old son somewhere on an outing, giving me time to RELAX . Most of the time I'm taking a long, hot, scented bubble bath. And I pray, for me, my husband and son, and I try very hard in those moments to let everything else go which I deem unimportant.

PrincessRib

This may sound strange, but I work outside the home, so one of the most relaxing things for me (besides nursing) is to go to the laundromat at an off time and do laundry.

JaimeSchatz

I love to get pedicures or have my hair done at the salon. Something to pamper me for a change.

TQ

I used to really enjoy my morning coffee and reading the paper; who has time for that now? I ripped an ad for coffee out of a magazine- it shows a steaming cup of coffee and a plate with a croissant, with a pen and a journal next to it, as though the drinker of this coffee was just about to settle down into a nice leisurely morning. I put it up on my fridge, and now in the mornings when I'm running around unloading the dishwasher and feeding my son and sending my husband off to work, I look at this ad and imagine for a moment that I have all morning to myself, a cup of coffee ...silly, but it works for me!

Nisi

Nap when baby naps! Especially during the 'newborn' stage. Moms too often try to 'do it all' ... it's not worth it!!! Instead of doing laundry, canning peas, sewing a quilt, or even just watching television or reading a book ... just lay down and NAP ... or if you truly aren't sleepy (are there ANY new moms who AREN'T sleep deprived ?) ... put on a soft CD (classical, jazz, soft rock ...whatever your tastes ... just not NIN or Metallica) ... and perhaps apply a facial mask or hair conditioner and LAY DOWN with your eyes closed and daydream till time to rinse!

ElaineHN

With nine kids there is no way I can just get away all by myself and relax. I learned that long ago. Now I relax WITH the kids. In fact, I love having a new baby because it gives me a good excuse to go lay down and relax (as I nurse my new baby). I usually use that time to read. When I'm not nursing I don't have any time to read so it's a treat to me.

Thalia Moser

I escape to the gym every night at 9 or 10, after the babies are asleep, the house is cleaned up and DH is reading. It is my sanity!

MommaX3