This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PEOPLE®, Real Simple®, and Southern Living®. The opinions and text are all mine.
While my kids have a fun time this summer, it’s also important that I have some of my own relaxing “me time.” I just had a baby a couple months ago, and the birth was traumatic and left me in the ICU and the baby in the NICU. Right now I’m still recovering, and definitely need that “me time” more than ever. I am definitely not back to where I was before pregnancy, so summer time fun with the kids can get a bit exhausting for me right now. This is why I make sure to relax and have some time to myself each day so I can keep getting stronger and feeling better.
Here are five ways I enjoy getting some quality “me time” this summer to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate after busy days with four kids.
#1 Lose Myself in Reading. One of my favorite ways to relax, recharge, and have some “me time” is reading. This has always been my go to for relaxation. I just love reading just about anything from books to magazines and even newspapers. It’s just so satisfying to sit down with a snack or a cold drink and just read something from cover to cover. Lately with the kids home in the summer, it’s a bit easier to get lost in a magazine instead of a book. Plus, there are so many new ideas I have to try out.
Just the other day, I was grocery shopping at Kroger and picked up the August issue of Southern Living as I was checking out. It’s one of my favorite magazines to curl up with on the couch and read cover to cover. There’s so much inspiration from food to places to visit. I brought it to the pool with us recently. The baby was sleeping, the big kids were playing in the water, and I was able to relax and just read in the shade.
#2 Catch up on a favorite show. Catching up on the latest shows or watching an old favorite is another great way to get some relaxation. We don’t have cable or regular television just online streaming, so I just love binge-watching an old season of something. I snuggle up in bed or in my favorite recliner and grab my mini iPad and a quilt while the kids play around me and the baby is sleeping. It’s such a great way I can take a break and enjoy a great show.
#3 A slice of cheesecake. This is my little secret from the kids. I love my children, but they always want whatever I’m eating. My husband will sometimes stop off at a bakery and buy me a slice of cheesecake. Then, he hides it in the fridge from those prying little eyes. After everyone is asleep, I totally indulge and enjoy my cheesecake all to myself.
#4 Take the dog on a walk. We rescued our dog from the pound last year a week before I found out I was pregnant. I have definitely become his person because during the school year, it was pretty much just me and him. Prior to my pregnancy complications, we went for walks often. It was a great way for me to leave the kids at home with my husband at night, and I could put on my headphones and get some exercise and feel recharged.
When I developed the pregnancy complications I could not walk him for about six months. Just last month I was finally cleared by my doctor to get back to doing things again, and we’re back to our walks together again; though they are slow walks now as Hank has a knee injury. I really think taking those walks with Hank help me feel refreshed. It’s one of the few times I can really focus on myself and relax and enjoy being outside.
#5 Listen to a podcast. Just like a book or magazine, I can totally get lost in a podcast. I can put my headphones on or plug my phone into the car radio, and I get totally involved in what’s going on in the podcast. There are so many I enjoy, but my favorites are the serialized fictional story podcasts. My absolute favorites tend to be supernatural or sci fi ones.
I’ve told you a few of mine, but what are your favorite ways to get some “Me Time” this summer?
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2 comments
I’m glad to hear you are getting stronger and feeling better. I also love to relax with a good magazine and Southern Living is one of my favorites. I tend to hang onto my magazines. I have a hard time throwing them away. Are you the same?