If there was ever a time that shouts “Me Time,” it’s Mother’s Day! But we all know it can be difficult to slow down, breath and take time for ourselves. With many Canadians still working from home these days and running a household 24/7, it can be even harder to turn off the technology, turn away from our tasks, and focus on ourselves. If you have kids learning from home, it can be even tougher! There is homework to help with, chauffeuring to do, and the kitchen to clean (again). With a bit of planning, you can put all that aside for a weekend (It really should be Mother’s Weekend, not Mother’s Day!) and focus on YOU—what you love to do and how you best decompress. Here are some ideas to reenergize, refresh and make your Mother’s Day restorative this year.
1. Set the Stage
Our lives are busy and sometimes the weekend becomes the time to catch up on chores, replenish the pantry and do yard work. Don’t let Mother’s Day turn into “To-do Day”! No matter what you decide to do on your special day (see our top suggestions below), set the stage with a clean, uncluttered house. That’s a gift in and of itself! Consider hiring an individual or service right before the weekend. Don’t want to hire help? Have family members do a big clean to set the place in order so you won’t have to lift a finger. Check out our 5 ways to get organized this spring. While you’re at it, have them bring in your favourite foods, replenish the fridge (or wine rack) with your favourite beverages—and perhaps buy some fresh flowers. Pick up any supplies that you will need to create your perfect day. Consider also having the grass cut and the yard work done to avoid the stress of any noisy lawn mowers or garden tools on the weekend—and so the outdoors is as inviting as a beautiful oasis. If you have any must-do emails or phone calls to make, why not put them behind you on Friday? Then you can (mostly) turn off the technology and set yourself up for a tranquil “me” weekend.
2. Stream away
Have a movie night (or afternoon)! Sometimes household movie and TV show tastes are not in sync—and as a mom, let’s face it, you often go along to keep the family happy. But if there is any day when you get to decide, it’s Mother’s Day! Maybe you often watch action/adventure or sports shows when really you’re longing for a rom-com or a hair-stand-on-end mystery. Or maybe you’d love nothing more than to binge-watch house-hunting shows, travelogues or steamy romance movies. On Mother’s Day, you get to unapologetically choose
When making your flick picks, consider a comedy for a super-relaxing mental health re-set. Studies show laughter is healthy—it lowers stress hormones and increases the happy ones. Get into movie-watching mode with your favourite comfy clothes (or stay in your pyjamas). Want to take it up a notch? Do a comedy (or chick flick) movie marathon! Put your feet up and break out the popcorn or other treats. Or better yet, ask your family to make you a delicious sandwich or assemble your favourite healthy snacks. Check out some easy to make recipes to guide them towards here.
3. Indulge in a breakfast buffet
Having breakfast in bed is a traditional Mother’s Day treat, but this year, why not ask your family to create a breakfast buffet featuring an array of scrumptious offerings (and no crumbs in bed). Request that the kitchen be shiny clean and the coffee on. (And perhaps a vase of your favourite flowers on the table wouldn’t be too much to ask for?!) Put your phone and laptop away and indulge—perhaps with a novel or magazine and some soft music. If the weather is nice enough, take you feast outdoors. Feel the fresh air on your cheek, breath in the scents of spring, listen to the birds, watch the clouds drift by or check out the new buds on the trees. If you really must, grab your phone and spend an uninterrupted hour on TikTok-again, it’s your day and no one is judging!
For the buffet, request your favourite fruit, yogurt and granola. Or maybe it’s time to try something a little different? Choose one of delicious bagels, like raisin cinnamon, oats and honey, sesame, everything, original or 14 grain. Or, for a delicious and wholesome sweet treat, try topping Country Harvest™ Ancient Grains toasted loaf with natural peanut butter and banana slices dipped in dark chocolate. Or, get your wholesome grains with Country Harvest™ No Sugar Added 100% Whole Wheat loaf. Top it with cream cheese or coconut yogurt, and fresh strawberries—a refreshing spring indulgence that’s healthy, too.
Want something truly special? Try Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast! It all starts with Country Harvest™ No Sugar Added White with Whole Grains loaf—and ends with an unexpected ingredient—peanut butter. It’s delicious with a little kick of decadence—perfect for your special weekend (er. . . day)! Click here for the full recipe.
For bagel-sandwich-lovers, check out our recipe for Egg(less) Bagelwich. It starts with a toasted Everything Bagel and ends with melt-in-your mouth bagelwich.
4. Take a walk down memory lane
Remember those photo albums collecting dust? We often get so busy that we go for years without looking at old photos. Pull out your wedding album and remember how you felt right before you walked down the aisle. Or, look at old photos from high school, college or university. What are your cherished memories from that time? Maybe you have photos of your children as babies. Remember how you felt when you first became a mom. (If you want to tell a few stories and have a few laughs, ask your kids or partner to look with you.) The years go by fast, but memories (and photos) mean you can always relive special times. Brew a cup of your favourite herbal tea or pour a glass of wine and take a fresh and leisurely look. If the mood strikes, do some reflective journaling. Want a further throw-back experience? Cue up your most-loved tunes from back in the day.
5. Go MIA
Sometimes, time out of the house alone can be just the tonic you need. If you miss country drives, with the windows open, blasting your favourite playlist, why not head out on the open road. (Bonus points if you have someone clean your car beforehand!) Consider stopping at a favourite waterfront, forest lookout or quaint town for window-shopping. On the other hand, if you’re always behind the wheel or stuck in traffic, leave the car behind and get out on your bike. Beforehand, have your family wash it and tune it up for spring. With tires filled and chain oiled, you’re ready to grab your helmet, water bottle, a healthy snack and go! Head to some local trails or take a slow pedal around the neighbourhood. Not a cyclist? Go for a contemplative stroll in the woods or take the pooch out for a power walk to the park. Exercise, animals and the outdoors (especially if it’s sunny) are a powerful combo to set your mind and ease and help with feelings of well-being. Craving some company? It’s OK to invite someone along, too, to share your “me time.
6. Custom-make a lazy afternoon
We all love a spa day, and you can make it special even at home. This Mother’s Day, why not make an afternoon of it? It’s your choice what you do with your time. Start out with a supply of your favourite products and treatments and see where the afternoon takes you. Perhaps a steamy, candle-lit bath with some special soaps is what you need to relax and refresh. Light a scented candle and play your favourite soothing music. Pamper yourself with a self-massage using a scented lotion and then put on a silky robe. Give yourself a manicure and paint your fingers and toes with a brand-new, bright spring-time colour. To stretch out your lazy afternoon, flip through a magazine, journal, colour in an adult colouring book—or take a leisurely and luxurious nap. Make sure dinner is taken care of so that body and mind can truly unwind
