Being a mom is a hectic job at the best of times, so finding time to unwind and relax can be a struggle.
However, in today’s world, it’s important to set aside some much needed ‘you time’. Whether it’s relaxing with friends or spending a few hours on your favorite hobby, enjoying some ‘me-time’ is vital for restoring work/life balance and maintaining mental wellbeing. What’s more, spending time with others is proven to improve your mood, boost your immune system and have even been found to lower the risk of dementia.
So, here are 5 fun ways you can socialize with other moms to get that well-deserved break while reaping the many health benefits of social interaction. (They’re part of The Key to Having a Long Healthy Life.)
Take a new class
One of the best ways to unwind with other busy moms is to take a new class together. Seeking out a salsa class, for example, or even letting stress out with a round of boxing together can significantly improve mood by releasing endorphins.
What’s more, taking a new class is easy to fit around your schedule with many only lasting 45 minutes to an hour. Finding a new class in your local area will also help you to meet other moms, so it’s a great opportunity to make new friends.
Bond over a board game
Another great way working moms can unwind is to enjoy a board game together. There’s no need to get dressed up to go out, instead, you can relax in the comfort of your home and invite fellow mothers over for an evening of fun. What’s more, by selecting a board game with a brain-boosting mode of play, you can truly engage and switch off from the stresses of the day.
While Scrabble may be the most popular word game in the world and is ideal for testing your vocabulary skills, there are plenty of other choices for those who prefer to show off different talents. Trivial Pursuit is perfect for putting your general knowledge to the test, while board games like Risk and Cluedo, require high levels of strategic thinking.
Whatever the challenge may be, playing board games in groups has also been proven to improve sharpen focus, improve teamwork skills, and can even soothe anxiety.
Enjoy a movie night
As many mothers find their evenings are their only free time, it makes sense to use these precious moments for catching up with others. Why not throw a movie night at your home? Get a group together with one bringing the movie and another selecting the snacks. If you’re looking to make the get together a regular occurrence, you could even start a series and choose a night every week to catch up on the latest episode.
Start a book club
Just like movie nights, book clubs are a great way for busy moms to spend their free time. Get a group together and take it in turns to pick your favorite title. Then, set a date to finish by and enjoy a discussion over a cup of tea.
Book clubs not only boost your social skills and encourage you to put your opinions out there, but regular reading and debate improve cognitive function, aids sleep, reduces stress and even increases your ability to empathize with others.
Organize a bake-off
Organizing a bake-off is great for moms with a sweet tooth. While it requires a little more time per week as you’ll need to block off some time in the kitchen, it’s worth it when it comes to sampling the delicious baked goods on offer.
Organizing a bake-off is pretty simple. All you need to do is come up with a theme, this could be biscuits, quiches, cakes, etc., and every participant attends your meet up with their version of the mouthwatering snack. Each person then votes in secret for their favorite.
What’s more, baking has been known to have a therapeutic effect on people, which is ideal for reducing stress levels and easing symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it the perfect recipe for socializing.
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