For moms who need breathing room

It’s hard to find time for yourself, especially when your husband and kids keep asking for just one more thing.

And then another thing… and then another… and another…

Until you’re buried under a mountain of demands, and struggling to draw a breath.

If you’ve found yourself trapped in a similar place, here’s a simple two-step tactic that can help you carve out some breathing room.

I call it a Regulation Rebound, because it’ll quickly soothe a fried nervous system.

The first step is do something calming that doesn’t take long (like less than 5 minutes) as soon as possible.

It could be deep breathing exercises, a few yoga poses, or a quick meditation.

And the second step (very important!) is to schedule a second, longer form of self-care as soon as possible (within 1-2 days).

This second activity should be something that you’re excited about, like meeting up with a friend for coffee, or going for a hike (if you’re outdoorsy).

When you combine these two steps, you give yourself immediate relief, and a second activity to look forward to.

This is a super simple way to prioritize your own needs — and give yourself some breathing room — when you get caught up supporting your family.

By the way, the Regulation Rebound isn’t a replacement for an ongoing self-care practice — think of it as a way to jumpstart a self-care routine that’s fallen off.

And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more tips like this.

-Matt