There’s no secret that being a mom is one of the most rewarding and exhausting roles a woman will ever have. Whether you’ve just started this parental journey or you’ve been at it for years, it takes a lot of energy to care for your family and home. The effort required to perform routine tasks throughout the course of the day for everyone else can leave very little room for you to tend to your own needs.

If you’ve been feeling really drained, not yourself, or distracted from the normal fun parts of your routine, you could be experiencing something referred to as “mom rut”. As much as you love your kids, the only way to get out of it is to be a bit selfish for a moment and take better care of yourself. Below, are a few suggestions to get you out of the rut and back to your “normal” self.

Reconnect with Friends

Your kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit from play dates. The next time you have a sitter or the children are with your parents, try to reconnect with some friends you may have lost touch with over the years. If they’re moms too, they can certainly relate to what you’re going through. Whether you meet for lunch, go for a morning walk, or go out for a night of dancing, their company alone is enough to lift your spirits and help you to feel alive again.

Buy Something New

You spoil your children all the time, it’s time to do yourself a favor and treat yourself to something nice. There’s no doubt you can find some room in your budgeting for a treat. Some moms prefer a getaway activity like a hike or even a spa day while others want to shop! Whether it is a day at the mall or browsing comfortably from your couch, you can find great deals on tops for women online, or maybe download a new audiobook or album to your iPod. The point is, soak in some selfishness for once and have fun!

Let Someone Else do the Chores

Moms absolutely can and do deserve to take the day off from time to time. If you’re really feeling drained you can hire someone to clean the house or ask your spouse to take over the household responsibilities for the day. With all that free time you can catch up on your favorite shows, go shopping, or take up a new hobby and explore talents you didn’t know you had.

Switch Up Your Look

When you spend so much time tending to the kids, you neglect your own health and beauty. What better way to rejuvenate yourself than to reinvent your look. Go to the mall and get your makeup done by a professional, schedule an appointment with a salon to get a new haircut or color, or find money in the budget to update your wardrobe.

Find Some Quiet Time

Peace and quiet go a long way when you’re a devoted mother. Make a commitment to find at least an hour to yourself every day. Whether you get up an hour earlier than everyone else or you wait until they’ve gone to bed, take a step back and just breathe. Listen to soothing music, read a good book, or catch up on your sleep so that you feel recharged.

Ask for Help

If your mom rut has gone on for weeks, months, or years, it may be more serious than picking up a new hobby or getting a few minutes alone. If you feel burned out, stressed, anxious, or depressed, it is time to get help. Start by talking with your spouse and other supportive family members about helping out with your responsibilities. Then, consider talking with a counselor or joining a support group for mothers who are dealing with similar circumstances.

Being in a rut seems to come with the territory of being a mom. If you’ve been feeling less than yourself as of late, it’s time to switch things up. Any combination of the above-mentioned recommendations can help you to feel more empowered, recharged, and ready to take on the world. Remember, as much as you love being a devoted mother, you can’t do a good job at it if you’re not taking care of yourself first.