Time Out for Mom: Kids Corner

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, April 30 and August 13, 2006
Show 312

As a working mom and a homemaker, some days I think there just isn't enough time to get everything done. It's so easy to lose sight of the importance of taking care of yourself. But if you don't make time for yourself every day, you could be doing more harm than good. When our bodies are under stress, we produce a hormone called cortisol. Too much cortisol in your system causes fatigue, moodiness, even weight gain. So what can you do to manage stress and relax—even for just a little bit—every day? Try these ideas. Take a hot bath before bed time. Or steal away to your favorite easy chair and get lost in a book, even if it's just for 20 minutes or so. Make sure you get enough sleep. Establish a routine bed time and wake up time, and stick to your schedule as much as you possibly can. If you don't feel refreshed in the morning, try going to bed a little sooner or waking up a little later. When you wake up in the morning, make sure you take time for exercise. A brisk 30-minute walk has an amazing impact on your fitness level, appearance, and mood. It's number one on my list of things to do, every day. And it needs to be on the top of your list, too! If you just can't set aside 30 minutes all at once, put your muscles to work throughout the day with short, intense bursts of activity. Power walking while pushing a loaded grocery cart in the store. Or using the stairway at the office and avoiding the escalators at the mall. Or how about weeding the garden or, better yet, using the push mower to cut the grass. Taking time to take care of yourself every day means you'll be more productive at work, and at home. After all, you're worth it.