SALT LAKE CITY — Back-to-school time often means relief for moms. No longer responsible for our children’s activities and entertainment 24/7, we can turn our undivided attention to other things. Enjoying the sound of our own uninterrupted thoughts feels luxurious after a busy summer of fun with children.

One television advertisement captures the feeling beautifully, depicting a mother pushing her shopping cart alone in an office supply store to the Christmas tune, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Take advantage of the energy boost supplied by this season to recharge your batteries for the busy school year ahead. Soon holidays, flu season, homework and term projects will take control and you will need to be at full tilt again to handle the stress. Here are four simple ways to take time to care for and nurture yourself.

Rest

First, take time to rest. It can seem so difficult to rest when everyone else is at school or work, but this is your time to reconnect with yourself. Even 15 or 20 minutes can make a big difference. One fantastic way to completely transform your energy level is to lie on the floor with your legs up the wall. This is a supported, effortless version of the yoga pose called shoulder stand. The effect of reverse gravity on your legs is simply magical. Spending even a few minutes in this pose can boost your energy even more than a one-hour nap. Try it and see!

Don’t forget to breathe

Second, don’t forget to breathe. A few minutes of deep breathing provides a fantastic stress reliever with dozens of benefits to your body. Consciously breathing oxygenates your blood, refreshes your brain, relaxes your muscles, calms your mind and quiets your thoughts. You can do this anywhere, anytime: in the car waiting to pick up kids, in the check-out line at the grocery store or watching your child’s soccer game.

Experiment with different breathing patterns and see which one works for you on different days. To start, try an equal count of four seconds of in-breath and four seconds of out-breath. Then try adding seconds, increasing up to 10. Try breathing out longer to add to your stress release. Try breathing in longer to add to your energy boost. Even five minutes of breathing will work wonders. And it’s completely free and always available.

Sounds of soothing music

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5 easy ways for moms to keep their sanity

Ah, motherhood. There's really nothing quite like experiencing the joys of watching your child grow, learn and discover the world around them. It's a beautiful, magical, one-of-a-kind job. Most of the time, that is.

Third, no matter what you are doing, alone or with children, you can benefit from music therapy. If the kids are getting cranky or bickering, put on some calming music to lower your blood pressure, relax your body, and calm your mind.

Likely, it will have the same effect on the children for an added bonus. This works great in the car or alone at home when facing some unwanted but necessary chore, like housecleaning time.

Use your sense of smell

Fourth, aromatherapy is a wonderful way to treat yourself. Invest in a purchase of one or two kinds of essential oils from your local health store. Lavender is a great all-purpose selection to start your collection, but buy whichever calls to you: orange, chamomile, ylang ylang, or peppermint to name a few. The tiny bottles can be pricey but a little goes a long way.

Add a drop or two to the sink with your dish soap to turn dishwashing time into a surprisingly spa-like experience. Putting a few drops in your washing machine fills the house with great smells. The oils actually help clean your dishes and clothes and, at the same time, they also act directly on your limbic lobe, the emotional center of the brain. Essential oils have long been used for their uplifting, calming and balancing effects.

Taking time to care for yourself is vital and necessary, but need not be expensive or take valuable time away from your family. With a little thought, you can put yourself first while serving others at the same time. Without sometimes putting yourself first, you might come up empty with nothing left to give. Refill your tank and recharge your batteries on a regular basis to keep your life running smoothly. Jill Meyer, a wife and mother of two teenagers, is a perpetual student of life and passionate seeker of optimal health and upliftment for herself and others.

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