#MomBoss: 5 Tips to Thrive, Not Just Survive Motherhood During Quarantine

For just about everyone in the world, life as we know has completely changed. The continuous spreading of the contagious virus COVID-19, better known as Coronavirus, has swept the world and taken us all by surprise. Living rooms have become offices, grocery stores have become hectic battle grounds, complete with empty shelves and for those of us who are mothers, many of our homes have become classrooms and day care facilities.

As a mother of a two year old, I can personally vouch for the challenge it’s been to run a business, manage the stress of all that’s going on in our world and be the best mother I can be. My daily routine has completely changed but my responsibilities have not. Now days consist of executing a productive and fun schedule for both me and my daughter. While I absolutely love spending the days with my baby girl (and my hubby!), it’s still a daily challenge to manage it all.

A few weeks ago, I came to the realization and acceptance that this was our new normal. Life would not be returning to the way we once knew it for quite some time. Knowing myself, I quickly realized that I would have to start being more intentional about thriving in every area of my life as I pushed through quarantine. In an effort to keep stress, anxiety and extreme discomfort from reaching an unprecedented high, I began to implement new practices into my daily life to ensure my peace and success and that of my family. Here’s what has helped me do just that:

1. Meditation - After about two weeks of quarantining, I began to feel extreme anxiety. From my view, the world was going absolutely crazy and it made me feel very uneasy. I decided to get serious about practicing meditation as a means to maintain my calm and protect my mental health. Taking just 10 to 20 minutes to practice stillness each day, has greatly impacted my daily routine. To learn more about my meditation journey, check out a review I wrote on the Calm app, here!

2. Maintain a healthy diet - At a time when most of us are home day in and day out, it’s easy to indulge in unhealthy foods without realizing how it could be impacting our mood and attitude. Food is fuel and it is one of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a diet high in foods that are nutritious for the body and mind will help you feel energized and refreshed as you tackle each day. In addition, I’ve noticed that while the grocery store is usually emptied of popular junk food items (and toilet paper), they are usually fully stocked on produce and other health food favorites! No excuses!

3. Exercise - Even if it’s just a walk, a light jog or a ten minute routine each day, find the time to keep your body active and fit. You may be surprised at how this will impact your mood and attitude towards the current situation. Working out will also bring a sense of accomplishment and productivity to your day.

4. Include playtime in your schedule - We may not have a ton of options outside of the house but inside of the home we can make the very best of what we have. Be sure to put time aside to play and enjoy your kids. Do some of the things that they love to. This new normal is an adjustment for everyone, not just adults. Be sure to remember that they need your support and love as they experience this transition as well.

5. Avoid being unnecessarily productive - Social media would have you to think that now is the time to be especially productive and driven. While this may not be a terrible idea, it ignores the fact that many people are facing hardships that can strongly prohibit high levels of productivity while others may simply need this time to rest. There is a lot of productivity shaming going around, making many people feel pressured to accomplish goals they may not have the time, energy or resources to accomplish at this time. While it is a great idea to take healthy advantage of this time indoors, remember to still be kind to yourself and give yourself the rest you need. As mothers, we must remember that we can not pour from an empty cup. We best serve our families when we properly care for ourselves.