Grab some time for yourself each day

Abi Jackson talks to health experts about their time-out routines.

BUSY mums don’t need fancy spas and endless spare time to boost the feel-good factor:

* Nutrition expert Dr Sam Christie has two kids, aged eight and three.

“My go-to relaxation indulgence is a twice-weekly, relaxing, essential oil body massage. Utter bliss.

“Combine relaxing essential oil in your hands before massaging slowly into the neck, shoulders and soles of your feet. A full body massage is even more sumptuous if you have more time after a bath.”

* Danielle Collins is a leading Face Yoga coach and is a mum to 17-month-old Lucia.

“Allow yourself just 20 minutes a day to help revitalise a tired mind, body and face. Yoga and Pilates are great choices as they help to tone, sculpt and relax your body whilst helping you feel calmer and more energised. I also take 10 minutes to do some Face Yoga to help smooth, lift and detox my skin. Make this a daily habit — and never feel guilty taking this little bit of time each day to look after you!”

* Pilates teacher Maya Haiman-Eilon has three children, aged eight, six and nine-months.

“I’ve been doing Pilates for more than 10 years and love it, but finding time for a class can be tricky. Being able to work-out at home makes all the difference and even 10 minutes can really boost wellbeing. I make an ’appointment’ with myself and do a 10-minute class in those in-between moments, like after the school run or when I’m taking a break from the computer.” !

* Dr Rebecca Chicot is a child development expert and co-creator of the Essential Baby Care Guide apps and DVDs. Her three kids are aged 10, seven and five.

“Learn from your child’s insatiable curiosity. Instead of rushing along on the same routine route day in day out, I make sure to walk different routes with my children and allow them to set the pace. Walking with your child, noticing the small things as you pass by, helps you to share the moment.”

* Cheryl Rickman is author of The Flourish Handbook and mum to a five-year-old daughter.

“Every other day, between the school run and work, I go for a 20-minute gratitude walk. Walking along, listing all the things you’re grateful for helps you focus on what you have, rather than what you lack, and enables you to park your worries. Walking gives you space to move freely and breathing space to think. It also boosts stress-easing endorphins, increases circulation and reduces fatigue.

“I always breeze in after my gratitude walk feeling energised, uplifted and ready for the day.”