ur bodies thrive when we move in a way that nurtures them, but with so many demands on our time and attention, mothers often struggle to prioritise movement. As a result, we feel tired, sluggish and low, missing out on all the physical and mental benefts that exercise brings. Many mums experience guilt at the thought of carving out time for themselves, but I see exercise as an act of love for my children. I have more patience when I’ve made time to move my body in a way that feels good. I feel more energised, and that stops me from feeling stressed and overwhelmed, and allows me to respond to my children the way that I want to.
Making time for exercise, for me, is a statement of worth: I’m worthy of prioritising this time to invest in myself. I feel like I’m honouring and nurturing my body when I stretch, sweat or lift weights. For me, movement is integral to maintaining mental health.
Exercising post-natally (when you’ve had sign-off from your healthcare provider) is a brilliant way to boost your physical and mental health. However, I would encourage you to reframe ‘exercise’ as ‘movement’. Ask yourself, ‘how can I move today that will nourish and benefit me?’ This question encourages you to acknowledge your specific needs and energy levels.
Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves and get gloriously sweaty. Other times we need to slow down and opt for a walk or a stretch instead.
As a new mum, I relied on online workouts and videos to motivate me. I couldn’t commit to an exercise routine so I’d wear leggings and a sports bra all day and just take my chances as they came, popping the baby on the playmat to watch. With each subsequent child, I became more flexible in how and when I worked out.
Let go of perfectionism and don’t overlook the power of small things. If you loved long yoga classes, then commit to two minutes of stretching on the yoga mat. In time, you’ll have the opportunity and capacity to do more, but keeping it small – at a time when life is taken up with young children – allows you to keep engaging in the things that feed, inspire and nurture you.
