Working Mums, Find Time to Work and Play with These Time Management Tips

Working mums never seem to run out of activities. You got to beat work deadlines on one hand and on the other hand, you got to prepare for Jimmy's football practice. Every day is a cycle of about doing, going and giving too much of yourself. Researches constantly show that there's no equal division of conjugal labour, which many of us acknowledge without hesitation. Working mums experience the double burden of the demand to be a perfect wife and mother, at the same time fulfilling the requisites of their careers. Coping with many roles at home, in the office and within the neighbourhood, women are perfect in every aspect. What we are lacking in, however, is the ability to care for ourselves. Should you find it hard to unleash the guilt and find a balance in your life, online coaching could provide the answers for you.

As working mums, we forget how important it is to take time for ourselves. Self-care is not a privilege, but a need. The fallout of a constant go-go-go state of being can be dangerous as failing to make time for ourselves takes its toll, physically and mentally. Many women are swift to cut corners on three of the most vital components of our health and well-being: diet and exercise, sleep and mental health. Yet, it's when we're facing a jam-packed schedule that it's most critical we take the steps necessary to balance out how much of ourselves we give away. Here are some ways to restore your vitality and balance both body and mind.

Follow your own advice! You make nutritious dinners ahead of time, add apples and carrot sticks to your child's lunch, and choose cholesterol-reduced recipes for Hubby's heart health. Yet, how many of us rely on fizzy drinks and chocolate bars for an energy boost while rushing through the daily grind? By heeding the nutritional advice you pass on to your family, you'll be stocking your body with all the essentials and setting an example for the wee ones. Pack-lunching it is both economical and ensures you'll be fuelling your mind and body with the proper nutrients it needs to get through the day. Keep a stash of healthy snacks like almonds in your office to keep your blood sugar stable and avoid late-night overeating. Set aside twenty minutes of your lunch for a brisk walk and make a point of stretching once an hour. The consequences of short bursts of exercise are more revitalizing and enduring than those of your preferred coffee flavours.

Lights out, Mum! Fatigue. It's probably the most oft-cited complaint of the working mothers I know. How many times have you skimped on sleep to meet a deadline or watch over a feverish child at 3am? Sleep deprivation causes irritability, diminished concentration, high blood pressure, and depression, so by building up a sleep debt, working mums are essentially hindering their ability to get things done. Before you affect your efficiency, try to keep your Blackberries away and shut down your computer a few hours before bedtime. Working late into the night not only leaves your brain over-stimulated, but it sets you up for a night of tossing and turning if you're preoccupied with tomorrow's to-do list.

Invest in Yourself. Achieving a work-life balance is one of the biggest challenges we face. When we neglect "me-time", we run the risk of losing ourselves and stifling our souls. So, ladies, it's time to lose the guilt and invest in you! Pencil in a monthly brunch or margarita with the girls, or hire a babysitter for an afternoon and indulge in a manicure or an extra hour of sleep. Let go of total control and accept the fact that your carpets will never again be spotless. Whether it's knitting, yoga, or a glass of wine with dinner, practise the strategies of relaxation that work best for you.

Instead of allowing the "shoulds" to dictate your schedule, realise that reflection and self-care are necessary in keeping the balance in our "round the clock" lives. Scheduling some professional coaching can help you realise the benefits of "me-time" and show you how to fit it into your busy life without feeling bad about it. Because, as the infamous advert goes, you're worth it!