Do you struggle with the exhaustion that comes with life? Finding respite, even for a moment will help fill your life with joy and purpose.

I recently read an article about a couple who leave their children with grandparents and spend the weekend together as a couple.

Every weekend.

I get it. With everything that fills our calendars and to-do lists every day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It’s hard to be a wife, keep a home, parent your children, and take care of your parent every single day.

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It’s intense. Your mind and body need time to recover. But, if you’re anything like me, you can’t take a vacation from these responsibilities every weekend. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had a “real vacation”.

There are still ways to recharge just by spending time on you. Taking short moments of respite allow you to come back to your responsibilities with joy and purpose rather than another day of exhaustion.

Related Post: How to Practice Self-Care Without Leaving Your Home

1. Spend a few minutes in the shower.

I know you’re exhausted at the end of the day. You’ve finally put everyone to bed. Every part of you just wants to lie down. I understand. This is how I feel almost every night. Yet I still try to spend a few minutes in the shower just to wash off the stresses of the day. It’s amazing how refreshed you feel. You will get a good night’s sleep (despite the inevitable interruptions) and wake up ready to conquer another day.

Related Post: Conquer Today! Three Essential Tools for Productive Days

2. Take a walk.

I’m not athletic. At all. I don’t like “exercise”. Even still, when things reach a boiling point inside me and I don’t think I can handle anything else, I will step out for a few minutes. Just slowly walking to the mailbox and back helps me diffuse enough to return to whatever awaits me back inside. It clears your mind, slows your heart rate, and improves your mood.

3. Go out for a coffee.

I don’t mean at a coffee shop. Gather the kids and your parent, take them outside, and sit at a distance with a nice cup of coffee.

The kids will play, your parent will be soothed by the sun, and you will have a chance to sit in relative silence. The mindless act of drinking coffee allows your brain to rest and your body to refresh.

An added perk (ha, see what I did there?) is the boost of energy from your caffeinated beverage.

Occasionally, my husband and I are able to find a sitter for my kids and someone to sit with my mother-in-law and we go out for an evening. I don’t have to cook. We sit at a quiet table with no interruptions. We don’t have to cut up anyone’s food or beg them to “just try it”. Sometimes we don’t even talk. We just enjoy the silence.

6. Join a Bible study.

One of the most rejuvenating things I have done in my three years of caregiving/parenting is join a weekly Bible study. My mother-in-law is taken care of by our CNA, the Bible study has a program for my kids, allowing me to enjoy the company of other women all with the common goal of growing in our relationship with Christ. I come home spiritually, mentally, and physically recharged.

Check out Bible Study Fellowship. They’re amazing, in-depth studies, awesome fellowship, and available all over the world.

7. Schedule a hobby.

You notice, I said “schedule”. Don’t decide on a hobby and hope it happens. Schedule time to actually pursue it. I love to sing and make music, so I joined my church choir. They rehearse every Wednesday evening for an hour and a half. I’m able to enjoy music, adult conversation, and no responsibility.

Do you enjoy crafting? Ask about classes at your local craft store.

Do you like swimming? Check out your local Y.

Whatever you “used” to enjoy, find a place that you can pursue it for just an hour a week. You’ll find it helps you remember your passions and remind yourself that you matter too.

8. Go shopping alone.

9. Get a pedicure.

Ok, I get it. This is a luxury.

But at least twice a year, I take a few hours on a Saturday morning to get myself pampered with a nice pedicure. I like the extreme salon experience with one or two chairs in a dimly lit room, weird new age music, and a technician that doesn’t insist on conversation.

It’s the perfect experience for an introvert like me.

Of course for the extrovert, there are always the giant salons with rows of chairs and lots of stimulating conversation.

My top responsibilities during the day are my 71 year old mother-in-law, my six-year-old and one-year-old sons, and my four-year-old daughter. We need a scheduled nap time.

Even if you don’t sleep you are required to rest during that time.

The silence that settles over this house for an hour+ is glorious! You can almost feel the house breath again as tensions drain and everything settles.

My first inclination during this time is to do “all the things” so I can get them done without noise and interruption.

Yes, I get a lot done but I’m even more exhausted, mentally and physically. Just taking a short thirty minute nap will do wonders for you. Trust me.

Related Post: Why I Gave Up Cleaning | Finding Freedom in the Mess

Benefits

Finding respite doesn’t mean scheduling elaborate trips or spending days away from your responsibilities.

It’s finding times for you to do what you enjoy. Find those things that energize your spirit, that bring you renewed hope for tomorrow. You work hard. You deserve to take a break! Seek out those small moments of respite.

Did you like this post? How do you find moments of respite in the midst of everyday life? Let me know in the comments below!

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