Challenge Your Brain as A SAHM

Challenge Accepted: Training the Mom Brain

One of the biggest challenges I have found as a Stay-at-Home-Mom is staying mentally stimulated and avoiding boredom.

Being home every day, it can be easy to fall into a routine and feel like there is no growth. The feeling of not learning anything new, or challenging myself, put me into a pretty big slump.

I decided I needed to pull myself from this attitude. Nobody else was going to do it for me.

I began to search for new things to do to challenge myself. I wanted to learn or try something new each day.

Here are a few of the things I have found that have given me control of my education and mental health again. I do these things even as I am taking care of my family and my home.

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Read Books

Reading is a great way to stimulate your brain and learn new things. You can read books on a variety of topics, from history and science to personal growth and fiction.

I love reading fantasy stories that have a bit of “spice” to them (especially if I can find them in a series). One of my favorite authors is Sara J. Mass. She has phenomenal stories, and the way that she writes will draw you in without the predictable love stories. Check out my two favorite series by her here: Court of Thorns and Roses and The Assassins Blade.

I do my best to read at least 20 minutes a day, either in the morning, during nap time, or before bed.

Learn a New Skill

When I read about other moms that had talents or found a new skill they loved, I was so jealous. I didn’t have many “talents” or skills. Let alone the time to find them. Deciding to change the mentality of “I can't “ and to go for it, has played a huge role in my mental health.

The first thing I tried, was something I have always had a love for. Writing. I started a small blog and began to write for myself. This simple outlet in the evening gave me the courage to try more and more things. It showed me that I was intelligent enough to start my own business and that I have the courage to put my passion to work.

Next, I decided to start a small microgreen garden. This led to a large aero garden. I am currently waiting on the delivery of my large hydroponic system. I fell in love with the idea of watching something grow from a small seed and become something to feed my family. The hydroponic systems are so simple to use, they are clean and so fun to use.

This is my current aerogarden. I will pull off a few leaves and have a salad for dinner about twice a week for my entire family.

There are plenty of skills you can learn from home, such as a new language, cooking, gardening, or crafting. Choose something that interests you and set aside time each day to practice. You can also take online courses or watch tutorials on YouTube.

Audiobooks and Podcasts

When I would talk to other adults in my area (or even my husband) they would talk about politics or events that they learned about. I felt so out of the loop and frankly, dumb. I didn’t know what they were talking about, all I was able to contribute was what my child was doing that day.

I wanted to change that feeling. I wanted to be able to understand the current events in my area and to be able to hold an intelligent conversation.

I began to watch YouTube videos on political podcasters. I read political blogs and quickly grew a passion for learning as much as I could about the world around me.

I learned about different controversial topics and gained my own perspective as I researched. This took some digging, regardless of what side of the political spectrum.

My recommendation: Do your research. Really pay attention to what you are watching or listening to. My favorite podcasts have become the Daily Wire. A lot of their podcasts are free on YouTube, or become a member at their website.

I love listening to podcasts and audiobooks while doing my housework. It makes time fly by and allows me to hear something that makes me think while I am working. I will pop in an earbud while my kids are down for a nap or while I am making dinner. This has been my very favorite area I have found to challenge and stretch my brain each day.

Play Brain Games

Sometimes I will play brain games with my kids to challenge myself. They have helped break up the day and offer a fun and simple activity for us to do together. There are many apps and websites that offer brain games, such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and memory games. I enjoy challenging activities with my kids, something that forces all of us to use our brains. We loved these smart game puzzles. We also really enjoy playing board games as a family, my children currently love playing the Game of Life and Bermuda Pirates. These are fun to play, and force all of us to strategically play against one another.

Along these lines, is music. There are so many apps and games that will help teach you how to play a musical instrument. My children are learning to play piano, but I don’t know how to do this. Turning on some of the videos or games on YouTube has been so much fun! I am learning a new skill, and they love that they are helping teach mom something new.

Exercise

Regular exercise has been HUGE for my mental health. It helps improve my mood, boosts my energy levels, and has reduced stress and anxiety. I try to incorporate some form of exercise into my morning routine, such as yoga, walking, or strength training.

As a family, we do our best to stay active together. This winter we learned how to snowshoe and cross-country ski. That was a blast to try and was so cute to watch the littlest kids laughing in the snow.

In the summer we hike every chance we get, jump in a pool, or simply take our dogs for a walk. Being active with my family benefits everyone and helps with our mental health.

Connect with Others

Being a stay-at-home mom can be isolating at times, but connecting with others can help combat that. I joined a mom's group in our area and it has been nice to help meet other moms who are feeling the same way.

Some days we will meet up with a friend for a playdate or to have lunch at McDonald’s or a park. Every time I see a friend, it amazes me how much it helps my mental health. After connecting with another female adult, it makes me feel refreshed and ready to be a mom again.

Set Goals

Setting goals helps me stay motivated and focused. They don't have to be big goals, but rather small ones that you can accomplish each day or week. For example, one day I set a goal to read for 20 minutes a day the next day I challenge myself to write a rough draft on a blog post. Setting a goal that can be checked off a list is a huge benefit for challenging myself each day.

Practice Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is important for your overall well-being. Make time for yourself each day, even if it's just a few minutes. You might take a relaxing bath, practice meditation or mindfulness, or try a new hobby or activity.

Being a stay-at-home mom doesn't have to be boring or unfulfilling. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can keep your brain stimulated and continue to grow and learn as a person. It is your job to challenge your brain. You need to be the one that will set a goal, and accept the challenge.