Lately I’ve been a little bummed. My baby boy turned one just a couple of weeks ago. My ‘baby girl’ is in the throes of the “terrible threes”. (Don’t let anyone tell you it’s the twos that are hard… They obviously just don’t have children over the age of two.) It’s winter. I’m still postpartum chubby. Blaaaaaargh.
My kids are fine. It’s me who has separation anxiety.
And I seem to have developed some nasty separation anxiety. Don’t get me wrong – I still have those days, 4:30 p.m., waiting for hubby to come home, wishing I had a litre of red wine attached to my head by some sort of contraption involving a straw, thinking about giving both children up for adoption and resenting the fact that I have to make dinner. But most days I love my role as part-time stay-at-home-mommy and post-modern housewife (i.e., I still do most of the housework but dream about how it could be divided up better…). My kids are growing so quickly. I probably will not have another baby. I just don’t want to miss anything. Sometimes I’m so sad to leave the house and step away from my babies that I don’t even want to go to work (for a minute or two). Then, I’m out the door and feeling a teensy bit better. I might arrive at a client’s home and put on a smile. Then, before I know it, I’m genuinely smiling and the world is alright again. I can enjoy some adult company and a much needed break from my mommy role. Even better, if I’m heading out to teach a Belly Bootcamp class, I am fortunate to be greeted by a bunch of smiling mommies and babies. That’s always good for the soul. If you can’t be with your own kids, others’ kids are a good substitute. But as much as I love seeing my Belly Bootcamp mommies, what really cheers me up when I teach one of our classes is… you guessed it: the workout. All kidding aside, there is nothing like a rush of adrenaline and a boost to your circulation and metabolism to help one’s mood. ‘Tis the season to get depressed. If you or someone you love suffers from depression, seasonal depression or is just a little low these days, why not invite them out to a fitness class? Or for a walk in the snow? And if you’re having a blah day… or fighting your own case of the mommy blues… strap the kid into the stroller and head outside for some fresh air and a bit of exercise. Or sign up for a yoga class and get out of the house one night a week to reconnect with your body. Or try a more social option, like a mommy-and-baby fitness class. Or just pop in a workout DVD or try a quick at-home workout while baby is napping. It works every time. Trust me. What is your go-to workout when you’re feeling a little low? Something restorative, like yoga? Or exciting, like boot camp? DECEMBER SCAVENGER HUNT ALERT! COMMENT BELOW ABOUT YOUR ‘GO-TO’ WORKOUT WHEN YOU ARE FEELING LOW…AND YOU COULD WIN A SUPERMARKET SMARTY!
There are no comments