Constant sleep deprivation was one of the biggest issues I dealt with as a new mum. My daughter woke multiple times each night for more than three years. It was exhausting to say the least, but I also learned a lot in that time. I discovered some helpful tools that helped me to get things done even though I was so sleep deprived.
I’m going to share some of those tools with you here:
Stop & breathe
When you feel overwhelmed and frustrated, stop whatever you’re doing and take (at least!) three deep belly breaths. Let the air coming in through your nose fully fill your lungs. It’ll help you feel less stressed immediately. It can also help you to let go of distracting thoughts and therefore better focus on what you’re doing right in this moment.
Only this in this moment
A phrase that I picked up from one of the programs of Happy Mama with Amy Taylor-Kabbaz is “Only this in this moment”. It helps me immensely to be more mindful. Just like deep belly breathing, it helps me to focus and brings me right back into the present moment.
I used to be a huge fan of multi-tasking in the past, but over time I learned to let go of that. I’m actually more productive now, when I only focus on one thing at a time. Admittedly, it took some time and practice to be able to catch myself when I was just drifting through the day mindlessly, but it got easier the more I practiced mindfulness.
What do you really need to get done today?
Now that I have shared a couple of things to help you focus and relax when it all seems a bit much, let’s talk about a more “hands on” approach. Every evening I pick three things for the next day that I need to get done. Those can be small things (e.g. putting on a load of washing or sending a quick email), big things (e.g. meal prep and batch cooking), or a combination of small and big tasks.
Focus on getting those three tasks done before you start working on anything else. Once you crossed all three things of your list, you’ll likely feel a sense of accomplishment. And if you get more than three things done at the end of the day? Look at you go! Give yourself a pat on the back.
Side note: There will be other days where you’ll struggle to even get through your list of things. (Fellow mamas, I know you know what I’m talking about!) That’s ok. I have those days too! Tomorrow is a new day. Deep breaths - you’ve got this!
Get help and don’t feel guilty about it
Even if (like me in the past) you don’t live near any family, you can still get yourself some help. For example you could order your groceries online and get them delivered to your doorstep or you could hire a cleaner once or twice a month. I understand it might feel like a waste of money (I certainly felt like that at first!), but don’t underestimate the peace of mind this can give you, which is absolutely priceless. So if you constantly find yourself worrying about household tasks, think about ways you can get help and take some pressure of yourself.
Be gentle with yourself
I believe one of the most important tips I can share with you on this topic is: Take care of yourself and listen to your body! If it tells you to rest, get some rest and ask for help, if possible. This might feel hard and challenging, but burning yourself out isn’t going to help anyone. Please prioritise rest as much as you can.
Your to-do list will still be there tomorrow and an early bedtime isn’t just beneficial for little ones.
Your health is your wealth! 💜
Much love
