Peace Prescriptions for the Working Mom

Really, this prescriptions are for anyone, but especially working moms. I have a deep soft spot in my heart for moms that also hold a full-time job. All moms work amazingly challenging shifts each day to raise their children well, keep them educated, entertained and nourished, train them to be self-sufficient and so much more. But the working mom has to do all this and clock in for an employee shift!

It’s surprising these women have enough mental wherewithal to remember to drop trou when it is time to use the potty (or should I say toilet, but out of mom habit forgot?).

So it is with a dedication toward the working mother that I offer these prescriptions for enhanced peace during your day. I promise they won’t take much energy to fill and may leave you feeling more at ease with wherever you find yourself in the moment.

1. Create an audible auto-reminder TAKE A BREAK while at work. Have you ever been so immersed in a project that you forego lunch, forget to stretch or even blink at your computer screen? I have and it is not good for me. Creating an audio reminder to stop, breathe, stand up and stretch can ease your body’s tension and help you be more productive when you return five minutes later.

Options for these reminders include: 

• Setting your smartphone alarm for multiple select times during the day. You can also use one of these beeps to remember to take your vitamins.
• Setting a recurring task(s) in your Outlook and a pop-up with optional audio will appear on your screen reminding you to move. 

My favorite options are even less work-related and therefore often more peace-producing. Here are two free downloads whose soothing chimes will encourage you to add a minute or five of self-care whilst at the office.  

• Free 5 min (or more) time download. Each timer starts and finishes with three bell strikes with nothing but silence in between.
• Free Zen Timer download. Randomly sounds a chime to remind you to be present at your desk or get up for a drink of water.

2. Chop some fruits or vegetables for your water pitcher/bottle. I must credit this idea to Hilton hotels. Every time I stay there, the lobby has large pitchers of water with ice and lemon slices. It always looks so inviting, I pour myself a glass whether I feel thirsty or not. Of course, drinking water consistently throughout the day is a huge health additive. Plain, ole water though doesn’t call to me the same way as water made fancy with fruit!

3. Schedule your own bath night. I know. Just reading this third suggestion makes my inner cynic want to roll its eyes. “Don’t you know I don’t time to luxuriate in a bath? I’m lucky if my kids get a bath… every other night.” Dear Ones, you wouldn’t let your children go too long without bathing because it is a priority. This needs to get put on the schedule for you too. As soon as the kids are in bed, leave the dishes alone, draw your own water and lay down in it. This is one of those just do it situations. Fifteen minutes in a warm tub can ease many a savage soul.

If you feel the need to multitask, fine—bring your iPhone, iPad or multitasking device of choice with you. I can’t say I’ve never done this. The healing properties of the water are going to work their magic despite your WiFi connection. Meanwhile, if you can bear it, leave them outside the bathroom door. Allow yourself just a few minutes to literally submerge.

If you find this habit forming and wish to amp up the peace vibes, I recommend bubbles. They are for grown-ups too. I adore Lush bubble bars and splurge every once in a while on a few. They are good for a couple baths apiece if you break them up and contain essential oils to moisturize the skin.

I would love to DIY my own bubble bars and there are several recipes online. But I’m talking realism here. If were struggling to find minutes for a bath, the DIY-it-ive-ness is going to have to wait until junior is old enough to join in the fun and we can count it as a weekend family craft. So, pump some of the kids' bubbles into your own bath and add a few drops of essential oil to the water. I love patchouli, sandlewood and lavender, but this is your bath. Yogi’s choice!

I also like Target’s Up & Up brand of hair and body baby wash as the ‘bubble base.' This acts as our daughter’s one product go-to for all baths and the scent is mild and fresh, not sickeningly sweet. Seven or eight pumps under running water gives a lot of bubbles and we’re good to go.

For additional peace prescriptions, continue to this article.