Always An Adventure

Real hope and encouragement for REAL life.

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9 of the Best Workouts Around for Introvert Moms

Introvert moms need the energizing and restorative benefits of fitness more than anyone, but it can be hard to find in group classes and gym memberships. Here are some of the BEST workouts for introvert moms.

Working out has amazing physical and emotional benefits – and I can’t think of anyone who needs that more than us introvert moms. In my own efforts to get fit I’ve joined gyms and tried classes that ended up not being a good fit for me, mostly because they just didn’t honor my introverted nature. Eventually I found some of the best workouts for introvert moms – workouts that energize and restore, without draining my emotional reserves.

I know I’m not the only one who has faced these challenges, so I wanted to share some of my favorites with you today. Here are 9 of the BEST workouts out there for introvert moms:

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(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

The Best Kind of ‘Me Time’

Is there anything better than the mental space and time to think you find during a good walk or run? Out in nature is best, but even a long go on a treadmill or stationary bike can give you energizing and restoring me time. If you’re stuck in the gym, wearing headphones is a great way to drown out the noise and create the illusion of alone time. Here are some of the best solo workouts you can do almost anywhere:

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Cycling
  • Swimming Laps

RELATED: How to Find Alone Time When You’re Never Alone

Strength for the Day

Strength training is something I shied away from – partially because at the gym it’s more social and not as relaxing. I eventually bought some weights and started strength training at home. Here are some of my favorite strength training workouts for introvert moms:

Mommastrong

This incredibly affordable set of workouts is absolutely amazing. It’s one of the most empowering workout experiences I’ve ever had, and very effective for the time spent. Workouts range from beginner to advanced, and all can be done in the comfort of your own home (or wherever there’s wifi).  And at $2/month to stream,  you cannot beat the price. So awesome.

Strength Training by Jenny Ford (currently free to stream on Amazon Prime)

I also love using our Amazon Prime subscription to stream workout videos. There are a ton out there, but this strength training video is one of the best.

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

RELATED: How to Make Time for Self Care

Stress Relief and Restoration

Fit2B Workouts

Fit2B workouts is another great option for introvert moms. This affordable subscription offers a variety of workouts for every fitness level, including cardio, strength training and yoga. Their yoga/relaxation videos are my favorite. Not able to stream online? They also have a few workout DVD’s on Amazon.

I also love adding in gentle yoga routines for days when I need to relax and restore, or just to mix things up. When I can’t make it to the YMCA for a class, I break out my tablet and yoga mat and do use a video at home. Here are a few I’ve tried and enjoyed:

 

The Best Workout Really Is The One You Love

At the end of the day, the best workouts for you are the ones that you actually enjoy. Finding fitness options that you love will make all the difference, because when you love it you’ll actually do it – introvert or not.

What are your favorite ways to work out? Any introvert friendly options that I missed? Please share in the comments. And if this post was helpful to you in some way, feel free to share the link with your friends!

Introvert moms need the energizing and restorative benefits of fitness more than anyone, but it can be hard to find in group classes and gym memberships. Here are some of the BEST workouts for introvert moms.

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How to Find Alone Time When You’re Never Alone

There are seasons in life where it can be incredibly hard to find alone time. But it's not impossible. Use these creative tips to recharge your soul.

Alone time – it’s one of my favorite things. As an introvert, I don’t just enjoy it – I actually need time alone to process and recharge. Don’t get me wrong – I love people! But I don’t function well if I have to ‘on’ all of the time. I know I’m not the only one.

I did pretty well with finding alone time in my life until I became a parent. We had our two daughters just 13 months apart – which meant that for a couple of years just using the bathroom alone was a luxury. When they were two and three years old we moved into a 26 foot camper for several months, and have lived in a pretty small house since then. To top it all off, our oldest is very extroverted, and hates to ever be alone. In order to survive, I had to learn creative ways to recharge in seasons when I was rarely – if ever alone.

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

Creative ways to find alone time when you’re never alone: 

 

Find alone time in the fringe hours of your day.

I’ve found that the most reliable places to find alone time are in the wee hours of the morning, and the last few minutes of the day. Even if I have to trade a bit of sleep for a few minutes of alone time – it’s totally worth it! Sleep is really important. But I’ve found that once I recharge a little bit, I sleep better. It’s all about balance.

Make the alone time you do get count.

When you do find a few moments to yourself, don’t waste them. Do something that refreshes your spirit. For me that looks like reading a few pages of a good book, enjoying the beauty of nature, or even just sitting quietly for a bit. Whatever it looks like for you, take this chance to feed your soul.

There are seasons in life where it can be incredibly hard to find alone time. But it's not impossible. Use these creative tips to recharge your soul.

Use headphones to create the feeling of alone time, even when you’re not alone.

I learned this trick when my girls were toddlers and I was desperate for a moment of peace. I put up baby gates to barricade us in the living room, and turned the tv to a toddler cartoon. Then I’d pop my headphones in and listen to soft music or the sound of crashing waves. I was able to visually supervise and make sure they were safe, and still have mental space to refresh and recharge.  I use these inexpensive earbuds everywhere – in a noisy coffee shop, on the treadmill at the gym, and at home – to give me the feeling of alone time, even when I’m not alone.

There are some really great white noise apps out there that will turn your phone + headphones into a mini spa retreat. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, there are some awesome options on Prime music – I love listening to albums like these. Not an Amazon Prime member? Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

 

Learn how to take advantage of the little slices of alone time.

I think many times we miss moments of alone time, because we’re so busy trying to get things done. But when I focus on savoring the time I do get, I’m actually more productive the rest of the time. Be intentional about taking time to recharge, even if it just means stopping to stare out the window for a bit before naptime is over, or getting lost in a good book at the end of the day. Give yourself permission to pause and soak it in.

Find the balance between being present and caring for your own soul.

There are so many distractions out there, that we all need a reminder to be present in our own lives. Especially as parents, it’s easy to get lost in the online world and ignore the ones that mean the most to us. BUT, it’s also important to care for your own soul. Don’t feel guilty for intentionally making room for alone time, whether it’s arranging for a few hours away, or using the tv to babysit while you pop in some headphones.

Related: How to Make Time for Self Care

At the end of the day, you might not get the amount of alone time that you want. 

Some seasons of life are just like that. But you can choose to make the most of the alone time (or almost-alone time) that you do get. You might find, like I did, that even small slices of alone time will help in getting you through a challenging time.

What are YOUR best tips for finding alone time in seasons where you’re almost never alone? Please share in the comments below! 

There are seasons in life where it can be incredibly hard to find alone time. But it's not impossible. Use these creative tips to recharge your soul.

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How to Make Time for Self Care

It's so important to make time for self care. This one choice makes all the difference!

It’s so important to make time for self care.  We all know this – that it’s impossible to pour from an empty cup. But making time for self care can be really hard to do. Especially for full time caregivers, taking time to care for your own needs can seem nearly impossible in the face of everything else that needs to be done.

But it’s also absolutely necessary. I know that the “put your own oxygen mask on first” analogy is SO overused, but it’s true – unless you care well for yourself, you are NOT going to be able to care well for the people you love the most.

I’ve found that just one decision helps me make time for self care.

I have to choose to take care of my own needs, before taking care of other people’s wants.

Especially for parents, it is SO easy to get caught up in answering all of the demands, and not taking care of your own NEEDS. It’s my job to make sure my kids have a safe, healthy, and loving environment to learn and grow in. But it’s not my job to make sure they never experience a moment of boredom or a twinge of hunger.

RELATED: Why Kids Need to Be Bored

I’ve had to learn to say no to the WANTS of my children, until I have my own NEEDS taken care of.

This might mean that they have to wait for a snack until I’m done with my workout, or play by themselves (safely) while I have some quiet time. The same applies to my spouse, and to other key people in my life. Taking care of needs before wants is essential to regular self care.

It's so important to make time for self care. This one choice makes all the difference!

It can be hard to know what your needs are.

This is especially true when you’re overwhelmed. Basic physical needs are a great place to start. I know I’m not the only one who forgets to drink water… or use the bathroom! Stop and check in with your body — are you hungry? Tired? Tense with stress? Making sure these basic needs are met first will help rule out any other issues.

Emotional needs are important too. If you’re an introvert, alone time will help you recharge. If you’re an extrovert, a few minutes on the phone catching up with a friend might be just what you need. Just like with your physical body, checking in with your emotional self is super important.

The truth is, YOU need to be taken care of, in order to take care of others well.

Take a moment to shake of the guilt that says that everyone else’s wants and needs are more important than your own. They’re not! When your own needs are met, you’ll be a better spouse, friend, parent, employee, entrepreneur, and person. You’ll love better and have a better quality of life.

Do you struggle with guilt for taking care of yourself? What is your biggest challenge in this area? Any tips you can share? Please share in the comments! 

It's so important to make time for self care. This one choice makes all the difference!

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Self Care Every Day for Real Life

How to infuse self care into every day - even if your life is crazy!

Making time for self care every day sounds nice, but as a busy mom who has a to-do list seemingly a million tasks long, I can tell you it can be SUPER challenging to find time to take care of me. It is so easy to fall into the trap of taking care of everyone else’s needs (and wants!) but your own. But not taking time for self care on a regular basis is an easy way find yourself on the fast track to poor health, floundering relationships, and even total burnout. (Ask me how I know!)

(The links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

Here are 3 ways I’ve found to infuse self care into every day:

Fill your cup.

I’m talking about your actual drinking glass, and your soul. When I take time each morning to fill my giant drinking cup with water (or stevia-sweetened lemonade) and take a few minutes for quiet and reflection, my day just goes better. I feel better when I’m hydrated, and start my day with intention instead of just reacting. It’s amazing how much that helps. Also, because I’ve made a point to do it regularly, it’s now a habit to practice this simple step of self care every day, without even needing to think about it.

Set the stage.

We are sensory creatures, and I’ve found that taking just a few minutes to turn on some uplifting music, light a candle or turn on the diffuser, and straighten up the room I’ll be working in can make all the difference in how my day feels. There is something SO powerful about spending time in a room that is clutter free and smells good, and that combined with good music soothes my soul.

Another way I set the stage for self care every day is to take a few minutes to get completely ready each morning before I start my day. As a work-at-home mom I was finding myself getting sucked in to the whirlwind of crossing things off my to-do list, and then realizing mid-afternoon that I was still in my pj’s and hadn’t brushed my teeth! Now I make a point to do all necessary hygiene and get completely dressed (including a simple hairstyle and basic makeup) before I start my day.

Fill the gaps.

For so many years I struggled with ongoing health challenges that really affected my quality of life. I’d try different supplements that helped, but I would forget to take them despite frequent reminders, and just generally felt way too tired and run down for as young as I was. In 2015 I discovered a set of supplements that was so easy to take and so effective that I’ve not missed a single day since I started. Here’s what I take.

There are so many ways to infuse self-care into every day, and while I think these are a great way to start, the important thing is to make it work for you. Find the small things that feed your soul and find ways to make room for them in your life so that they add life and hope and flavor to your every day!

Self care is so important! What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve overcome to make room for self care every day, and what did you do to make it happen? Please share in the comments!

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