“I don’t have time for myself” is a common lament among mothers. With work commitments, managing a household and caring for children, finding pockets of “me time” is a luxury for most moms.
But scheduling downtime isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. A few hours for yourself helps you be your best self, and that benefits your family. When you take those moments to recharge, your perspective improves, and you’re apt to have a fresher outlook on life.
An early-morning run or walk offers a chance to exercise, connect with nature and find mental clarity. I love witnessing the vibrant sunrise, listening to birds chirping and smelling the crisp desert air in the dawn hours. I also enjoy hiking Valley trails, including Pinnacle Peak and in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, where a few hikes offer a chance for solitude—a must for moms who are “on” most of the time.
Living in a resort town offers an abundance of options to help you unwind. If I have a few hours for myself in the morning or afternoon, I like to schedule a facial at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. During a one-hour facial, you can unplug from everything—work, kids and digital devices. The perks of personal time at this resort are opportunities to relax in the pre-spa room and exercise in their facilities.
At the Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, in Paradise Valley, you can combine a pedicure, spa and pool experience. Janet Berry-Johnson, of Phoenix, a full-time CPA and the mother of a 4-year-old son, loves the spa’s pedicures: “They seat you in ‘zero-gravity’ chairs that fully recline. It is the most relaxing pedicure ever.” The sauna offers an “icy deluge” in which freezing cold water is dumped on your entire body. Berry-Johnson finds it “incredibly refreshing.”
Scottsdale mom Lindsey Dempsey enjoys scheduling time for what she calls “the three Ms”—a movie, massage or manicure. Sometimes she treats herself to a movie during the day, or opts for a manicure at Nails Spa at Lincoln View in Phoenix, which provides an expedited day-spa experience. Another perk? Dempsey loves the fact that she can add a shoulder massage—by a professional therapist—to her nail service.
What’s the important takeaway for moms? Instead of sending your kids to a timeout, take a few hours for yourself. Identify activities that fulfill and recharge you. Make an investment in your sanity and well-being. It will make a difference in your attitude and improve all your relationships.
