Massage 4 Mums - Edinburgh

Tips for Sleep Deprived Parents
Having children can be an amazing experience and incredibly rewarding. However, if you have very young kids, chances are that a good night’s sleep disappeared the same day that it became impossible to leave the house with just your keys and your phone! Going night, after night, after night with broken sleep, can literally be a nightmare (it’s no wonder that sleep deprivation is used as a method of torture).

While it’s entirely possible to stumble through the first couple of years of your child’s life feeling completely sleep deprived, it’s not good for them, and it’s certainly not good for you.

Lack of sleep can lead to so many other problems such as stress, anxiety and depression. You’re more likely to be forgetful, and less present when you’ve had very little sleep. It can also lower tolerance levels, meaning you have a shorter fuse, so when your little one kicks off, you might not handle it quite the way you’d like to. And kids are smart – as soon as they realise you’re not at the top of your game, it won’t be long before they’re running circles round you!

I know I’m probably stating the obvious here, but when you’re used to being on automatic pilot all day, it can be a hard cycle to break.

If the amount of sleep you’re getting is being dictated by a small person, there are a few things you can do to try to increase the amount of sleep, or at worst, to make you feel well rested, more relaxed and able to face the day head on.

Cat Nap
If you’re able to cat nap, then do just that. As soon as it’s nap time, put your head down, and try to catch a few ZZZs. You might argue that this is the perfect time to get round to doing all the things that you can’t get done when your little one is awake. But the vacuuming, dusting, cooking, cleaning can wait. What’s the worst that’ll happen if these don’t get done? Who cares if there’s a layer of dust on everything? What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t take that nap? Put yourself first.

Hot Bath
Most kids (but obviously not all) tend to follow a routine when it comes to napping. When you know that naptime is imminent, start running a bath. As soon as that little head hits the pillow, sink yourself into a nice warm bath. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. You don’t need scented candles and relaxing music to unwind. The warm water (with or without bubble bath, Epsom salts etc.) will leave you feeling well rested and the heat will also ease any muscles that have been tightened from carrying small children.

Yoga
As well as being a really effective way of stretching out tired muscles and increasing flexibility, yoga is also great for helping you to be in the moment with your own thoughts. You certainly don’t need the hassle of finding a class near you, (and also the headache of trying to work out when you’re going to find the time to fit it in), there are hundreds, if not thousands of classes at your fingertips on YouTube, ranging from 60 minutes classes, right down to 5 minutes sessions. There are classes for relaxation or for increasing your energy levels. The choice is endless, so you’re bound to find something that suits.

Massage
I’m a teensy weensy bit biased, but having a massage when you’re feeling stressed, tired, or you have aching muscles, can work wonders. Being able to switch off and relax (or even have a snooze), while the tightness in your muscles is eased out, can go a long way to helping you feel lighter, brighter and more refreshed.

Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness on a regular basis can help you feel calmer, and more in control of the stresses of daily life. The Mindfulness Association has an app containing a number of guided practices, with the shortest called ‘3 Minute Breathing Space’, so when your day is going at a hundred miles an hour, this practice really is ideal.

Deep Breaths
Alternate nostril breathing is a technique which again, can be very effective in a short space of time, making you feel more relaxed and reducing the stress levels. It’s very easy to do, and there are several videos on YouTube to show you how.

I hope these tips go at least a small way to making tiredness a bit more bearable. As I said earlier, I’m probably stating the obvious here, but when you’re feeling completely frazzled, it sometimes helps to have someone remind you of the basics.

Remember that you are not alone. The majority of parents have sleepless nights at some point or another. When you’re right in the middle of it though, it feels like it’s going to last forever. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it will pass.

If this has helped, or you have any other tips or tricks, please leave a comment, or if you know of someone in the middle of this right now, please feel free to share!

Christmas seems to have come around really fast this year! If you’re struggling for present ideas for your friends, or you’re wondering when you’re going to have time to shop, I might have the perfect solution: how about a Massage4Mums voucher? It can be used at any Massage4Mums session booked, and is valid for 12 months, so plenty of time to find a date that suits all of you! The vouchers are £30 per half hour massage, and if you buy 3 you’ll receive a fourth absolutely free! Alternatively, the vouchers can also be used for a massage at Eyre Place Osteopathic Practice in Canonmills, where I work 2 days a week. If you have any questions, or you’d like to buy a voucher, please get in touch!

Now that the kids are back at school, you might at last be able to take some much needed time to yourself. However, if you have children that aren’t school age yet, finding some time in the day to chill out with your own thoughts, may still be a bit tricky.

So it may be time to get in touch with your friends and organise a ‘Massage 4 Mums’ day! You get time to relax and catch up with friends, while the little ones have a play date! What’s not to like?

Hi Everyone! I'm now taking bookings for the summer months!

A few parents have been in touch recently, to ask if Dads can book appointments too. The answer is yes, of course! Massage 4 Mums is about the health and wellbeing of all parents.

I'm still offering an introductory price of £25 for your first 30 minute massage (normal price £30), so get in touch!

Happy New Year, Everyone! I’m now taking bookings for January-March, so if you’d like to book, please speak to your friends, then get in touch! I look forward to hearing from you!

With the festive season just around the corner, it's even more important at this time of year, that we find some time to escape the chaos (even for a little while!). I still have some days available in the run up to Christmas, so if you want to get away from it all, book in a Massage 4 Mums session. Dates are going fast, so get in touch soon, to avoid disappointment! Or if your schedule is already looking full for the next month, why not get organised now, and plan ahead for some 'me time' in January?