When Mom Needs a Mental Break

Here are some cheap and easy ways to reenergize in New Orleans.

“Self-care is important.” This is a saying you’ve heard before, but perhaps you have failed to hear “self-care is a necessity.” Parenting will leave you feeling beat up, broken, confused, run down, anxious, depressed and completely overwhelmed. These feelings are relatable and completely relevant, especially living in a social-media world. We want to be Instagram happy, Facebook perfect, Pinterest worthy by oversharing and missing the moments. No shame — bragging on your family isn’t a bad thing; it just takes too much energy.

Every parent needs that boost of energy daily in whatever form brings joy, peace and happiness. But “I don’t have time!” Yes, I too have verbalized the same sentence with a hope that I could take the time. You see, the time is there and you can’t make it or find it because it is always there. You have to take it and claim it. It may seem you are being selfish, but self-care is not the same thing as being selfish. You need to be present for your family. When momma is happy, everyone is happy and healthy too.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Reenergize. You live in the beautiful city of New Orleans. Take the time to reenergize.

Cheap and Easy Ways to Reenergize in New Orleans

1. Take a Walk in the Park

Louis Armstrong Park
701 N. Rampart St.

Audubon Park
6500 Magazine St.

Crescent Park
1008 N. Peters St.

2. Have a Drink

Bearcat Cafe
2521 Jena St.

Jamba Juice
730 Veterans Memorial Blvd.

NOSH
752 Tchoupitoulas St.

3. Journal or Read a Book

Maple Street Book Shop
7529 Maple St.
New Orleans, LA 70118

Community Book Center
2523 Bayou Road

Octavia Books
513 Octavia St.

4. Meditate

Tibetan House
4900 Tchoupitoulas St.

New Orleans Insight Meditation Group
2134 Magazine St.

Free To Be Power Yoga
4609 Magazine St.

5. Say “no” to Running Errands for the Family

Say “yes” to ice cream.
Say “yes” to alone time.
Say “yes” to a selfie.
Say “yes” to a power nap.
Say “yes” to intimate time with your spouse.

Focusing on yourself for a few minutes, hours or days will allow you to feel refreshed, rejuvenated and restored. Self-promotion will lead to having a healthy relationship with yourself, which builds your parenting muscles. No doubt parenting is exhausting, but moms are tougher. Your parental happiness is the driving force of your family, so be sure to nurture yourself.