It's A Single Mom Thing
Welcome to “It's A Single Mom Thing”, the show for single moms by single moms.
Being a solo momma and present parent is hard work and it’s easy to lose your focus when you forget your faith. The good news is, that you are not alone, you were singled out in this season, and together we can work on what’s not working for you finding Christ in the crisis! Whether you are listening early in the morning or late at night, we are here for you!
Be encouraged. Get inspired. You can do this, momma.
Stay tuned as each Monday we will feature fresh and fun content and conversations as we join you on this journey from solo momma to solo momma. We promise not to take too much of your time and thank you for spending it with us. It may be a single mom thing, but it doesn’t have to be the single thing that stops you!
It's A Single Mom Thing
Stress Into Success: Unwind From the Back-to-School Grind
The first week back to school can feel like a whirlwind, leaving moms (and kids) feeling frazzled and drained. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! In this episode of Stress Into Success: Unwind From the Back-to-School Grind, we’re hitting pause on the chaos and diving into simple, effective ways to unwind, recharge, and find joy - getting your groove back.
Join me as we get a grit and explore:
- The power of the pause: Why taking a moment for yourself is a game-changer.
- Custom-made self-care: How to fit rejuvenating "me-time" into your busy schedule.
- Reclaiming joy and fun: Easy ways to bring smiles and laughter back into your daily life.
I even have a first-ever Listener Challenge.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, tired, or just need a pick-me-up, this episode is your go-to guide for finding balance and peace in the midst of the hustle. Tune in, relax, and get ready to transform your stress into success!
PASS IT ON TO THE NEXT SINGLE MOM—If you have been blessed by this podcast, sign up today with a monthly gift of any amount. Click here.
SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://shepherdsvillage.com/podcast
NEED PRAYER: Call 855-822-PRAY or click here.
INFORMATION & INSPIRATION: Shepherds Village University
It's a Single Mom Thing, Not the Single Thing That Stops You!
Welcome to it's a Single Mom Thing, the show for single moms by single moms. This is Sherri, your host, and I am happy you are here today. Remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you.
Speaker 2:Whew, you made it. You have officially made it through your first week with your kids in school and now you can rule your time a little more effectively. Well, kind of Welcome back my fellow solo peeps to. It's a Single Mom Thing. So, ladies, I know the first week back to school can be exhausting for both you and your kiddos. Underneath your breath, you might even ask how many days until I get my summer back. Well, you have exactly 285, if you're listening, on the Sunday, august 18th. But who's counting? That's why today we are going to do a necessary rewind, unwinding and finding some much needed piece we can put back into the pieces of our day. With one week down, who's down to start in this school year? Much like a new year to a new you.
Speaker 2:In this episode we're going to get a grit as I share some tips, tricks and fun ideas to help you relax, recharge and reclaim your joy, creating calm amidst your chaos, the power of the pause. As a single mom, doesn't it feel like all your days become one long day, as they kind of like run into each other, especially, I think, sometimes during the school year, I may not see you nodding in agreement, but I know you are Every day. From the time you get up you are running somewhere. It feels like you get nowhere, running somebody else's race and at their pace, with little rest for you to catch even the smallest breath. You know, I never understood why my body never reflected in kind from all the time I spent running. I mean, I should look like an Olympic long distance runner, right, but it may reflect the skipped meals as I skipped here and there, the stress that made a mess of my hair and the unhealthy amount of cortisol coursing through my body from always being on the go. You know what I mean. As we begin this new school year, we need to do some new things, just like our kids do in school.
Speaker 2:Insert the power of the pause. By definition, the idea of pausing involves deliberately taking short breaks to breathe, reflect and reset. It's about stepping out of the rush. I love that thought, even for just a few moments to regain focus and clarity. I like to phrase it as a pause for the cause. You see you, my sweets are the cause, because your whole household goes down. If you go down Now, according to a study published in Psychological Science, taking short breaks can significantly improve mental clarity and performance. The study found that brief diversions from tasks can dramatically improve focus and productivity when returning to the task at hand. So, contrary to our brain that was trained to go, go, go, go to get more done, I think it's better we simply park it. And here you and I are about to get schooled on this the science behind the pause.
Speaker 2:Number one mental health benefits. Pausing helps reduce stress and anxiety. When we are constantly on the go listen, ladies our bodies remain in a heightened state of alertness. For us single moms, we understand that as survival mode, which can actually lead to burnout. You may just be there right now. By taking short, intentional breaks, we activate and there is a big word coming the parasympathetic nervous system. I do know a few big words which help calm the body and the mind. The key here is, if you noticed it, it is intentional Taking the break. Maybe your employer gives you and you need to give you. Don't skip it.
Speaker 2:Number two cognitive benefits. Research from the University of Illinois shows that short breaks can prevent decision fatigue. That's an interesting thought. It also enhances creativity and improves problem solving skills. And listen, a solo sister needs that.
Speaker 2:When our brains are overstrained, they become less effective at processing information, kind of like when you overtrain your muscles at the gym, much like your workout routine. What does that include? A rest day. A rest day allows those muscles that have been broken down with exertion to heal. Pausing allows the brain to reset, making it easier to tackle challenges and think more clearly. Number three physical benefits. Pausing to stretch or move around can reduce the physical strain of prolonged sitting, which is linked to various health issues such as back pain and poor circulation, and possibly a big derriere. Now, you know, in kindergarten, teachers encourage our kids to do what Sit up and shake the wiggles out Practically possible.
Speaker 2:So next let's review some practical applications that you could do. You could do number one some mindful moments with a breathing exercise. So how many of you listening right now do you notice? Are you holding your breath? I just caught myself and I do this all the time, especially when I'm stressed on autopilot or hyper focused on completing a task so I can move on to the next one. I did that really well as a single mom, and this is no bueno. Or hyper-focused on completing a task so I can move on to the next one. I did that really well as a single mom and this is no bueno.
Speaker 2:Starting today, we will add a piece to our fragmented pieces using, listen, what I call the 4-7-8 technique. Are you ready? So for four seconds we will inhale, hold for seven seconds and exhale. I said exhale for eight seconds. Ready, let's try this on? So in for four seconds, hold for seven seconds and out for eight. And for some of us we haven't done that in a while, so it may take some time to get used to actually retraining our breath. Whew, didn't that feel good? I know I needed that. This exercise helps us slow the heart rate, calm the nervous system, making it easier to manage stress.
Speaker 2:Now I would suggest integrating this breathing exercise into your daily routine, whether you're waiting in a long carpool line, doing homework with your kids or even doing the dishes Before getting out of bed. Even make it a part of your daily routine During a mid-afternoon slump or just before going to sleep. You can start right now retraining your brain with a little. Four, seven, eight technique. Number two many pauses throughout the day. So what does that look like? Ok, that comes in the form of what I'm calling a micro break. Take a micro break throughout the day, such as stepping outside for fresh air or doing a quick stretch, or simply closing your eyes for a minute, careful not to fall asleep. These micro pauses. They will help, once again, to clear the mind and prevent those feelings of overwhelm a single mama's get. Now, how I like to do this is by setting a timer on my phone to remind me to take these mini breaks and, yes, you need to take them when they come up, or reschedule them for another time during your day. That is going to be. You're going to be able to do this Now. It's sad that I need to remind myself of doing this, and you are too, because, listen, ladies, even a five minute pause, this can make a significant difference.
Speaker 2:Here's another one the power of the reset button, a mental reset. Sometimes I employ the power of this pause when it's imperative that I mentally reset after challenging moments, let's say whether it was with my son or at work situations. And again, this could be as simple as doing the four, seven, eight technique or stepping away from the situation to gain a new perspective. And for me, the way this would look like and roll out my day is I would go for a walk, I would do three laps around our office building, even in the heat of summer. So how that helped me was, after a difficult conversation, we'll say, with my son, or for you, a teen or stressful work task, this can help you to take a moment pause, breathe and reset before moving on to the next task. And it's important that you do this before you move on to the next task, otherwise you're going to carry it like a suitcase into your next situation. Be in recharge of your life. Just as we found power in the pause, we also find our power when we power down through self-care.
Speaker 2:Self-care can involve activities and practices that help maintain and improve your physical, emotional and mental well-being in daily life, and here's why this is muy importante For single moms. You know, self-care often takes a backseat due to the demands of parenting and work. However and this is a big however research shows that neglecting self-care can lead to, once again, burnout, chronic stress and a diminished ability to care for others effectively. Insert why my body doesn't look like it's in the shape of a long distance runner. Insert why my body doesn't look like it's in the shape of a long distance runner. And once again, going back to school, we are going to get schooled on the science behind this self-care, because there is science behind it and obviously there are mental health benefits, and the Journal of Clinical Psychology confirms it, as they found that consistent self-care practices can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Practices can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Speaker 2:Taking time for self-care actually helps regulate our emotions and provides a mental reset, which is crucial for maintaining overall mental health. This could reduce the trips our trips to maybe fill a script or even a liquor cabinet. We could do it ourselves. Physical health benefits Engaging in regular self-care activities such as exercise, healthy eating and adequate sleep can actually lower the risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Research from the American Psychological Association says this and they highlight even small acts of self-care can have a cumulative positive effect on physical health.
Speaker 2:Emotional well-being Self-care actually promotes emotional resilience, and this is a fun one. I found this one in the Journal of Happiness Studies. I love this. Individuals who regularly engage in self-care, they are better equipped to handle stress and experience high levels of satisfaction. So there's no excuse why you can't get no satisfaction. Okay, I'll leave that song to Mick Jagger.
Speaker 2:So how do we make this practically possible? One we have some quick wins. Let's say, in our daily rituals. We incorporate a simple self-care ritual into our daily routine of, let's say, a 10-minute quiet time, a quick walk during lunch or winding down with a good book before bed Not your phone, but a book. Incorporating self-care into, let's say, our routines every day through. This is a fun one, and a new one mindful eating Turn your meals into a mindful exercise. Take a few moments to really savor the flavors of your food. This practice not only enhances the eating experience, but it also promotes your body will thank you better digestion and overall well-being. I mean, how many of us just scarf our food down so we can go on and go, go, go right, I know I'm guilty of it. This time I'm gonna savor the flavor. Maximizing the me time. I love me some me time. This is gonna be increments of short and sweet self-care. I acknowledge that time for single moms is very limited, so self-care, though, doesn't have to be lengthy. Listen, ladies, even if it's just five to 10 minutes of uninterrupted me time, that can make a huge difference.
Speaker 2:Weekly rituals, things that you could do during the week, I don't know. Designate a self-care day like a self-care Saturday, holla. Set aside one day a week. You could do one day a week, even if it's just one hour one day a week, and dedicate it to some more extended self-care rituals. Let's say this could be a relaxing bath, a DYI spa night, or simply enjoying a hobby you love. Is there something that you love to do, that you've loved to get back to? You can use this time to set your week up for success instead of a race, taking time to relax and prepare for your week ahead. Now, this even I know it sounds like work. Actually working ahead can work for you. This can involve, I don't know, laying out your clothes for the week, planning meals, even ending the night with a calming activity like reading or meditating on your week ahead, thinking about what's coming up and projecting into the future how you want your present moments to show up. As that is some self-care.
Speaker 2:Listen, your self-care. It is not a luxury. Actually, it's a necessity. It's about taking care of yourself so you can better care for your kiddos and face life challenges with resilience as a lady of grace. Lastly, self-care it not only benefits your well-being, but it also helps you find some joy, getting your groove back.
Speaker 2:On to my next subject called finding your joy and getting your groove back. So, after the stress and structure of the back to school grind, listen, it is essential to reconnect with joy and get your groove back, rediscovering the little things that light up your life as both a mom and a woman of worth. And here's a quick and easy way to get your groove back. Number one, I don't know create some family fun time through, maybe, a mini dance party. Anyone up for a dance party in the living room with the kids? Choose a fun playlist and let loose a few songs. It's a great way. Listen to, bond and boost everyone's mood in just a few minutes after a very exhausting day, go ahead and set 10 minutes aside after dinner for a daily dance break. It's quick, it's easy and it will bring smiles around. Here's another one Solo joy boosters.
Speaker 2:Going back to what I just said revisit a hobby. Take a few minutes to engage in a hobby you love but maybe have neglected, whether it's knitting, crocheting, painting, drawing or even journaling your day. Let's do this. Carve 15 minutes out before bed to work on a small craft or project that makes you happy. Ladies, I think it's important that you go to bed happy and not the other word that rhymes with that. Lastly, ladies, we need to get that joy down back into the bottom of our heart through some mindful moments of everyday tasks, things that we do every day, like for me, oh, I love to savor me some morning coffee and get up before the sunshine, but I also enjoy watching the colors of the sky as it's painted as the sun sets. These small moments of mindfulness, they can turn routine activities into a source of happiness. Here's an example Start the day before your kids do by stepping outside for a few minutes, taking in the fresh air and appreciating the quiet before the day and your duties begin.
Speaker 2:So, in going beyond this podcast, I'm going to incite a listener first time ever challenge for our new school year and the new you. And my challenge is a joy jar. Start a joy jar where you write down one thing that brought you joy each day, no matter how small. You can even make this your homework while your kids do theirs. At the end of the week, on your self-care Saturday, read through the notes and relive those happy moments, getting your groove back. That's something that you could do early in the morning, before your kids get up. Sit there in the quiet and reflect on what brought you joy that week and put that out there for the things that you want to show up in the coming weeks. As we wrap up today's episode, I hope you're feeling a little lighter, a little more energized and ready to embrace the start of your week and a new school year with a fresh perspective and a new you.
Speaker 2:Remember the back to school grind. It doesn't have to steal your joy or your peace unless you allow it to, by taking intentional pauses, carving out moments of self-care that fit your life and finding simple joys grooving to your move into the everyday. So listen, ladies. So you're not just surviving, you're thriving. You're bringing peace to the pieces of your day. You're bringing peace to the pieces of your day. Listen, you are doing an amazing job and it's okay to take a moment for yourself.
Speaker 2:You need to give yourself some permission. After all, you know just as well as I do that you cannot pour from an empty cup. So take those pauses, recharge that battery, indulge in a little TLC and don't forget to have some fun along the way. You're worth it and, believe me, your kiddos will appreciate it too, as they learn from you the new you, as you unwind from the back to school grind. Thank you for joining me today. If you found this episode helpful, I would love for you to share it with a fellow solo mama who might need a little extra encouragement and, if you haven't already, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss our next episode, where I will continue to support you on this incredible solo journey. Have a wonderful week and remember it's a single mom thing and not the single thing that stops you.
Speaker 1:Thanks for listening to. It's a Single Mom Thing. I hope you enjoyed our time together. If you have more questions on how to have a relationship with Jesus or need prayer, visit us at wwwshepherdsvillagecom. Backslash prayer. For more information and resources, check out our show notes.